The One about Questions about the Humanities
It was a-spur-in-the-moment thing. I was just teaching in my sec 3 class when I shared with the students when I started to share the importance of the humanities. In a society where traditional emphasis is on the EMS, it is no wonder that the Humanities teachers had the unenviable task of enthusing and motivating. Many colleagues teaching other disciplines green-eyed the freedom and flexibility that the Humanities teachers had; it was always a subject that was interesting, with stories, andecotes, with forms and features, with people and achievement, with forms and features, with crises and conflicts. However it is also a discipline which is regarded as the poorer cousin in terms of priority. I remember asking one of the DD during the Meet-the-DD session and I discreetly probe about the issue of increasing the emphasis of the humanities. I got a no-answer answer where he asserted that the very fact that it is considered in the L1R5 already suggested its importance, which of course got me thinking about the next issue - is a subject deemed as important if it is an examinable subject or is a subject emphasized deemed as important?
A colleague passionate about Geography shared with her students that "Geography is the master of all subjects"* She qualified this by highlighting the different aspect of the discipline which showed shades of the other subjects, whether it is maths, science, or even economics. Undeterred I continued my tirade with the class and told the kids that History do not claim to be the master of all subjects but rather it is the training of the mind - You understand the causes and effects, you comprehend the truths and untruths, you differentiated the different perspectives. These skills can be used for all disciplines.
Anyway in class, I told the kids that whatever they learn in humanities in terms of facts, sadly is not really that important (for my discipline to say the least) The most important thing is to find relevance and learning about yourself and to understand about life in its microcosm. I left the class leaving them with more questions. I told them to learn is to expand your horizon, to talk to people, to see, to observe and to listen. I told them that the type of person you are depend on:
1) the books you read
2) the movies you watch
3) the conversations you had and
4) the friends you made
Which of course lead to the last questions - how can one be human when one is oblivious to the humanities?
* In fact one of the students intepret it as the "mother of all subjects" and i countered that by saying history is the "grandfather of all subjects" :P
Monday, August 07, 2006
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
The One about Gratitude
My previous entry apparently struck a chord among many of my ex students who had hear me religiously proselytizing about this quality that I held so dear. Many students would remember the "lectures" I gave during those "teachable moments" to reinforce this. I am saying the one quality which I believe will define a great man from a good man - "Gratitude". Sorry if I do sound deterministic at times like this, but this is one trait which I hold strongly in my beliefs. In fact I was pleasantly surprised to get this mail in my email mailbox this morning when I logon.
Now I would shamelessly quote from the mail.
"hello mr ng,
i havent gotten a chance to speak to you much since a very long time.even though we had the bbq,there was no much chance for me to talk to you and stuff.that explains this rather sudden email doesnt it.
so i was just wondering what you were up to in your new school,new environment,new kids and of cause no more nonsensical ij girls.read your blog and while reading your most recent post,i thought of something you taught us in sec 3 - one which stayed in my heart this long.
you once wrote on the board "gratitude" and told us that that was the most important word so on and so forth.and i was just thinkin bout it.
i dont know if you know but i was asked to go back to ij for honor's day'06 where i received,well my prize for coming in first for my combined humanities.i had always wanted to message you before to thank you and to inform you that i was goin back and things like that but the hectic jc life never gave me a chance to.i guess i shldnt blame whatever jc life or anything cause i know for sure that if i had really wanted to there wld have been enough time for me to squeeze out abit of time out of my busy schedule to message you or something.i know this mail is a little late,afterall honors day is already over and things like that but i just wanted to thank you for all that you have done in terms of my academics,you were there and tried your best as a history cum social studies teacher,making sure that your students got whatever skills that they needed in order to face any kind of questions during an examination!(though i remember that for a certain exam there was a certain question that was an attempt of phrasing it cheem but faild thus causing everyone to misinterprete the qs!haha) anyhow back to this,and i probably have never said this before, but you were the best form tcher a class could ever asked for. it was good to be able to be in your form class and at times work 'hand in hand' with you as the class chair.thank you for all that you gave to the class, made everything so memorable.
not only were you there as a teacher, you were there as a friend and a mentor. giving valuable advice whenever we needed it. the difference between a secondary school tcher and a jc tcher is that the secondary school tcher cares alot more for you then the ones in jc.haha. its true. but o wells. thanks again mr ng for everything. from sec 3 and sharing the "white monkey' joke with us to going through sec 3 adventure camp, parent tcher meeting, mid years then final years, the whole gruelling sec 4 year, preparing us for the o's as a amaths,history,social studies tcher and a mentor cum friend, to the sec 4 self awareness camp, mid years and finally the o's. encouraging us constantly and giving us your full support. thank you for having faith in us! we got through it together as a class.
yes gratitude is one important word.
thank you mr ng for the many things you have done for us. it will definitely not be forgotten!
hope you're doing fine now,
take care.
god bless!"
Hi amanda
It was nice to hear from you even though I am no longer in IJ. I apologise for not being there as a form teacher to award you with the prize for it would seem so inappropriate, even though deep down inside I would love to just hand the prize over to you. I am definitely surprised that my personal mantra of life would one day be an impact in some way or another to my students. Ye gratitude is indeed something important and I am thankful for the honour to be a part of your life which you felt significant and memorable and I am glad that I have in some way or another be a part of it. I am happy that all the Sec 4/4 have move on to your new phase of your education. Deep down inside, I do miss those times in class when all the class antics never fail to amaze/frustrate/anger/please me.
Thank you for the kind reminder of what I am here for.
Mr Ng
Sometimes I just hate myself for being so sentimental :(
My previous entry apparently struck a chord among many of my ex students who had hear me religiously proselytizing about this quality that I held so dear. Many students would remember the "lectures" I gave during those "teachable moments" to reinforce this. I am saying the one quality which I believe will define a great man from a good man - "Gratitude". Sorry if I do sound deterministic at times like this, but this is one trait which I hold strongly in my beliefs. In fact I was pleasantly surprised to get this mail in my email mailbox this morning when I logon.
Now I would shamelessly quote from the mail.
"hello mr ng,
i havent gotten a chance to speak to you much since a very long time.even though we had the bbq,there was no much chance for me to talk to you and stuff.that explains this rather sudden email doesnt it.
so i was just wondering what you were up to in your new school,new environment,new kids and of cause no more nonsensical ij girls.read your blog and while reading your most recent post,i thought of something you taught us in sec 3 - one which stayed in my heart this long.
you once wrote on the board "gratitude" and told us that that was the most important word so on and so forth.and i was just thinkin bout it.
i dont know if you know but i was asked to go back to ij for honor's day'06 where i received,well my prize for coming in first for my combined humanities.i had always wanted to message you before to thank you and to inform you that i was goin back and things like that but the hectic jc life never gave me a chance to.i guess i shldnt blame whatever jc life or anything cause i know for sure that if i had really wanted to there wld have been enough time for me to squeeze out abit of time out of my busy schedule to message you or something.i know this mail is a little late,afterall honors day is already over and things like that but i just wanted to thank you for all that you have done in terms of my academics,you were there and tried your best as a history cum social studies teacher,making sure that your students got whatever skills that they needed in order to face any kind of questions during an examination!(though i remember that for a certain exam there was a certain question that was an attempt of phrasing it cheem but faild thus causing everyone to misinterprete the qs!haha) anyhow back to this,and i probably have never said this before, but you were the best form tcher a class could ever asked for. it was good to be able to be in your form class and at times work 'hand in hand' with you as the class chair.thank you for all that you gave to the class, made everything so memorable.
not only were you there as a teacher, you were there as a friend and a mentor. giving valuable advice whenever we needed it. the difference between a secondary school tcher and a jc tcher is that the secondary school tcher cares alot more for you then the ones in jc.haha. its true. but o wells. thanks again mr ng for everything. from sec 3 and sharing the "white monkey' joke with us to going through sec 3 adventure camp, parent tcher meeting, mid years then final years, the whole gruelling sec 4 year, preparing us for the o's as a amaths,history,social studies tcher and a mentor cum friend, to the sec 4 self awareness camp, mid years and finally the o's. encouraging us constantly and giving us your full support. thank you for having faith in us! we got through it together as a class.
yes gratitude is one important word.
thank you mr ng for the many things you have done for us. it will definitely not be forgotten!
hope you're doing fine now,
take care.
god bless!"
Hi amanda
It was nice to hear from you even though I am no longer in IJ. I apologise for not being there as a form teacher to award you with the prize for it would seem so inappropriate, even though deep down inside I would love to just hand the prize over to you. I am definitely surprised that my personal mantra of life would one day be an impact in some way or another to my students. Ye gratitude is indeed something important and I am thankful for the honour to be a part of your life which you felt significant and memorable and I am glad that I have in some way or another be a part of it. I am happy that all the Sec 4/4 have move on to your new phase of your education. Deep down inside, I do miss those times in class when all the class antics never fail to amaze/frustrate/anger/please me.
Thank you for the kind reminder of what I am here for.
Mr Ng
Sometimes I just hate myself for being so sentimental :(
Sunday, July 30, 2006
The One about the Man of Steel again
Bryan Singer's "Superman returns" brought a lot of inspired entries on the son from Kryton. Many know that I do draw similarities with this man ( wearing read underwear in the right way not withstanding) and it was a pleasant surpise to see another fellow professional writing something about the Man of Steel.
As I mentioned about being Superman the last time, things have so far not been good in school. If you have been reading the past entries, you would see that the world is infested with problems so big that even the Man of Steel would have a problem deciding which to settle first. Which is also why I shamelessly ask the author of the blog mentioned whether she was refering to me per se. I guess she might be talking about teachers per se, people per se, or even problems in general. (Hey the world does not revolve around the superman wannabe :P)
It is always at this period of time, I tell myself to be thankful of stuff and be grateful with things I have. I was having a conversation with my baby girl on the car. I told her she was a lucky girl for she get zoomed around by her chauffuer dad when I never had the opportunity. I guess she may not be listening as she was just cooing around and smiling. However even though this term had been hellish to say the least, I find it a good opportunity to look around and ask myself what things i should be thankful of. I do feel better when I do so.
Who are the people and events I am thankful of? Let me count thee
What about u?
Bryan Singer's "Superman returns" brought a lot of inspired entries on the son from Kryton. Many know that I do draw similarities with this man ( wearing read underwear in the right way not withstanding) and it was a pleasant surpise to see another fellow professional writing something about the Man of Steel.
As I mentioned about being Superman the last time, things have so far not been good in school. If you have been reading the past entries, you would see that the world is infested with problems so big that even the Man of Steel would have a problem deciding which to settle first. Which is also why I shamelessly ask the author of the blog mentioned whether she was refering to me per se. I guess she might be talking about teachers per se, people per se, or even problems in general. (Hey the world does not revolve around the superman wannabe :P)
It is always at this period of time, I tell myself to be thankful of stuff and be grateful with things I have. I was having a conversation with my baby girl on the car. I told her she was a lucky girl for she get zoomed around by her chauffuer dad when I never had the opportunity. I guess she may not be listening as she was just cooing around and smiling. However even though this term had been hellish to say the least, I find it a good opportunity to look around and ask myself what things i should be thankful of. I do feel better when I do so.
Who are the people and events I am thankful of? Let me count thee
What about u?
The One about another big D thing
Maybe it is the stress of term 3, maybe it is the inhumanely punishing schedule. But people are acting really peculiar in these few weeks. As a form teacher, you prayed that other than the rushing of syllabi, pestering students for homework, the almost obligitory teacher observations, the deadline of setting papers and the preparation of the 4E/4N/5N students for the end of year "BIG THING", the least you need is of course a disciplinary problem, a BIG disciplinary problem.
I was literally hit with that on Friday after the dialogue session with the Deputy Director (Personnel). To cut the frivolous short, the DM came to me, spoke to me in hushed tones, while gesticulating me to go out of the conference room. Sensing the seriousness of the issue, I stepped out with tredipation, thinking what could have happen again to my ever notorious hyperactive sec 2 form class. To have some sense of inanomymity and privacy, I shan't reveal the full details of it,but le me just say, these type of problems will never happen in IJ where the cohort is all female, even if hormones are raging and interests in the opposite sense will befuddle you to do things beyond your wildest imagination. SIGH..... And the best thing about this was that there were rumour that he had done something similar before however there was no concrete evidence nor witnesses who stand out to "testify". Therefore I gave him the benefit of the doubt. After repeated counselling and even a "warning" on wednesday, this time he was caught red-handed AND red-faced.
Now he has to face the music, parents are called up, meet the P session on Monday. How is that to add to the insanely crazy term three?
Maybe it is the stress of term 3, maybe it is the inhumanely punishing schedule. But people are acting really peculiar in these few weeks. As a form teacher, you prayed that other than the rushing of syllabi, pestering students for homework, the almost obligitory teacher observations, the deadline of setting papers and the preparation of the 4E/4N/5N students for the end of year "BIG THING", the least you need is of course a disciplinary problem, a BIG disciplinary problem.
I was literally hit with that on Friday after the dialogue session with the Deputy Director (Personnel). To cut the frivolous short, the DM came to me, spoke to me in hushed tones, while gesticulating me to go out of the conference room. Sensing the seriousness of the issue, I stepped out with tredipation, thinking what could have happen again to my ever notorious hyperactive sec 2 form class. To have some sense of inanomymity and privacy, I shan't reveal the full details of it,but le me just say, these type of problems will never happen in IJ where the cohort is all female, even if hormones are raging and interests in the opposite sense will befuddle you to do things beyond your wildest imagination. SIGH..... And the best thing about this was that there were rumour that he had done something similar before however there was no concrete evidence nor witnesses who stand out to "testify". Therefore I gave him the benefit of the doubt. After repeated counselling and even a "warning" on wednesday, this time he was caught red-handed AND red-faced.
Now he has to face the music, parents are called up, meet the P session on Monday. How is that to add to the insanely crazy term three?
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
The One with the Something good to start the day
I saw this on a friend's blog entry archive and decided to put it in my blog to motivate myself and my friends.
God: Hello! Did you call me?
Me: Called you? No.. who is this?
God: This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat with you.
Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something........
God: What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.
Me: Don't know. But I can't find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.
God: Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.
Me: I understand. But I still can't figure it out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.
God: Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.
Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?
God: Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.
Me: why are we then constantly unhappy?
God: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why you are not happy.
Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?
God: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.
Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty..
God: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?
God: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer. With that experience their life becomes better not bitter.
Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?
God: Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.
Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can't we be free from problems?
God: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.
Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading..
God: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.
Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?
God: Success is a measure as decided by others.. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.
Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?
God: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.
Me: What surprises you about people?
God: when they suffer they ask, "why me?" When they prosper, they never ask "Why me" Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.
Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I cant get the answer.
God: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.
Me: How can I get the best out of life?
God: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence.Prepare for the future without fear.
Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.
God: There are no unanswered prayers.. At times the answer is NO.
Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happy to start this day with a new sense of inspiration.
God: Well. Keep the faith and confidence and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve, not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.
"Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be."
I saw this on a friend's blog entry archive and decided to put it in my blog to motivate myself and my friends.
God: Hello! Did you call me?
Me: Called you? No.. who is this?
God: This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat with you.
Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something........
God: What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.
Me: Don't know. But I can't find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.
God: Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.
Me: I understand. But I still can't figure it out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.
God: Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.
Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?
God: Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.
Me: why are we then constantly unhappy?
God: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why you are not happy.
Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?
God: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.
Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty..
God: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?
God: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer. With that experience their life becomes better not bitter.
Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?
God: Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.
Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can't we be free from problems?
God: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.
Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading..
God: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.
Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?
God: Success is a measure as decided by others.. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.
Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?
God: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.
Me: What surprises you about people?
God: when they suffer they ask, "why me?" When they prosper, they never ask "Why me" Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.
Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I cant get the answer.
God: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.
Me: How can I get the best out of life?
God: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence.Prepare for the future without fear.
Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.
God: There are no unanswered prayers.. At times the answer is NO.
Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happy to start this day with a new sense of inspiration.
God: Well. Keep the faith and confidence and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve, not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.
"Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be."
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
The One about Trafford
I brought Trafford to the animal clinic last evening. Like a irresponsible parent, I was trying my best to fit in the medical appointment even though I had the whole weekend to do so. Trafford was suffering from a mild ear irritation and I have been procrastinating to send him to the clinic ( such irresponsible owner!)
Ever since Vernice came into our family, Trafford had lost the status as the apple of the eyes of the family. He cuts a forlorn figure when attention and love were showered on Vernice. Sensing that his status as the “pet” (sic) of the house is fast disminishing, he accepted willingly his fate as the “donggong”东宫 whose popularity faded when the emperor found his concubine.
Nevertheless, he continue to show his affection to all in the family and wagged his tail and demands for a tummy rub everytime someone he knew stepped into the house. He also take up the additional responsibility as the “gor gor’ and look after vernice when she is lying on the bed. Like a big brother, he can be really protective of Vernice and lie besides her, somewhere near but not too near to create any form of discomfort for him or Vernice. There were times when he wanted to show his affections by licking her and patting her, but was shouted down by my mum and dad. I think deep down inside he must have felt really hurt.
The visit to the clinic was a relatively short one. Within 45 minutes, Trafford got his ears checked and cleaned, his vaccinations injection done and I came out 88 dollars poorer. But I could see a little sparkle in his eyes, when he was looking out from the car window ( an act he loves) and letting his fur down. I think he enjoyed the bonding moment with me. And that made me guilty, for I realize how much attention I have not given to him and how a little attention got him so happy. Sometime I am wondering if I might be so partial if I have another daughter. Then again One Vernice I already cannot handle liao.. :(
I brought Trafford to the animal clinic last evening. Like a irresponsible parent, I was trying my best to fit in the medical appointment even though I had the whole weekend to do so. Trafford was suffering from a mild ear irritation and I have been procrastinating to send him to the clinic ( such irresponsible owner!)
Ever since Vernice came into our family, Trafford had lost the status as the apple of the eyes of the family. He cuts a forlorn figure when attention and love were showered on Vernice. Sensing that his status as the “pet” (sic) of the house is fast disminishing, he accepted willingly his fate as the “donggong”东宫 whose popularity faded when the emperor found his concubine.
Nevertheless, he continue to show his affection to all in the family and wagged his tail and demands for a tummy rub everytime someone he knew stepped into the house. He also take up the additional responsibility as the “gor gor’ and look after vernice when she is lying on the bed. Like a big brother, he can be really protective of Vernice and lie besides her, somewhere near but not too near to create any form of discomfort for him or Vernice. There were times when he wanted to show his affections by licking her and patting her, but was shouted down by my mum and dad. I think deep down inside he must have felt really hurt.
The visit to the clinic was a relatively short one. Within 45 minutes, Trafford got his ears checked and cleaned, his vaccinations injection done and I came out 88 dollars poorer. But I could see a little sparkle in his eyes, when he was looking out from the car window ( an act he loves) and letting his fur down. I think he enjoyed the bonding moment with me. And that made me guilty, for I realize how much attention I have not given to him and how a little attention got him so happy. Sometime I am wondering if I might be so partial if I have another daughter. Then again One Vernice I already cannot handle liao.. :(
Sunday, July 23, 2006
The One with Kelynn's Gift
I was doing some work when I cam across Kelynn's (an ex-student) gift to me during the class BBQ. It was a collection of quotes about teachers in squarish pieces of papers which is placed in a small little box. One quote caught my attention
"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others"
Hm... is that why I am feeling so burn out :P
Anyway 6 weeks to end of term 3...
Sigh!
I was doing some work when I cam across Kelynn's (an ex-student) gift to me during the class BBQ. It was a collection of quotes about teachers in squarish pieces of papers which is placed in a small little box. One quote caught my attention
"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others"
Hm... is that why I am feeling so burn out :P
Anyway 6 weeks to end of term 3...
Sigh!
Saturday, July 22, 2006
The One with the God's help
I heaved a sigh of relief yesterday morning after the reenactment of the RH riots. It didnt turn out well, the monologue was inaudible totally overwhelmed by the music and the poor kids did not hear the cue, and thus was not able to come in and "act" when it was time to so. The "rioting" kids were disappointed especially the girl reading the monologue; she felt that she was to blame for the whole failure of the performance. However I had to reassure them that it was ok and most importantly they had done their best. even though the story was not heard clearly, the students did enjoyed the performance and were exceptionally quiet when the girl read the reflections. At least the message for that did get through.
After the first bell went and lesson started, I sat alone in the canteen, getting my regular coffee fix, hoping to nurse my bruised ego if there is any, and thenI realised however I ended the session more relieved than disappointed, perhap my anal perfectionist attitude had waned or I am just too drained ? As i was looking for some answers and hope, I saw this
Guess it did help to be in a convent school for a while, God has been providing answers everywhere even on the metal shutter.. :)
The Ego One
I heaved a sigh of relief yesterday morning after the reenactment of the RH riots. It didnt turn out well, the monologue was inaudible totally overwhelmed by the music and the poor kids did not hear the cue, and thus was not able to come in and "act" when it was time to so. The "rioting" kids were disappointed especially the girl reading the monologue; she felt that she was to blame for the whole failure of the performance. However I had to reassure them that it was ok and most importantly they had done their best. even though the story was not heard clearly, the students did enjoyed the performance and were exceptionally quiet when the girl read the reflections. At least the message for that did get through.
After the first bell went and lesson started, I sat alone in the canteen, getting my regular coffee fix, hoping to nurse my bruised ego if there is any, and thenI realised however I ended the session more relieved than disappointed, perhap my anal perfectionist attitude had waned or I am just too drained ? As i was looking for some answers and hope, I saw this
Guess it did help to be in a convent school for a while, God has been providing answers everywhere even on the metal shutter.. :)
The Ego One
Thursday, July 20, 2006
The One with the RH Prelude
I was in school till the unearthly hour of 7.15 pm as I watch my "rioters" fighting against each other on the school assembly area. This was one of the events that we had for RHD 2006, where we will be reenacting a riot scene to impress upon the kids the importance of RH even though what we will be trying to do is to put up a hypothetical situation in the year 2030 with a monologue and of course "extras" acting out the rioting scenes. After the initial attempts by the sec 2s to fight each other ( it ended up like "Brokeback Mountain" meet "Mortal Combat") the moves were refined and of course the "brokeback" ness was reduced together with an increased sense of realism. In fact it got so real that I was going to shout "cut" at certain junction until the kids started huddling together laughing.
Anyway I went back home with a spliting headache and felt that the best thing to do is just to let me thoughts flow through words on the net. It has been an eventful day for me, first I got to know in the morning that I was supposed to be a counsellor to a bunch of students who has apparently commmitted some offence during the Perth fieldtrip. They feel that being a guy, a young man, a married man I would be in a good position to share about the nos about certain things. Anyway I shan't wash dirty laundry in the cyberspace public but I must say it is quite a unique experience for me though I had to call my wifey, who happens to be a social worker btw to give me some advice. Then there was another case of another student in my class who apparently have been missing school for a while even after her suspension. Even though the form teacher ( a close colleague of mine) emphasize that there was nothing wrong. But as a typical humanities teacher who is blessed with the skills of inference and analysis. i was able to put two things together and got the conclusion ( Anyway the two issues mentioned is not related but yet related at the same time, if you are not so dense :P) Sometimes curiosity do kill the cat.
Now I am just crossing my fingers and hope that everything goes on smoothly tomorrow or should I say in about 10 hours time sigh!!
I was in school till the unearthly hour of 7.15 pm as I watch my "rioters" fighting against each other on the school assembly area. This was one of the events that we had for RHD 2006, where we will be reenacting a riot scene to impress upon the kids the importance of RH even though what we will be trying to do is to put up a hypothetical situation in the year 2030 with a monologue and of course "extras" acting out the rioting scenes. After the initial attempts by the sec 2s to fight each other ( it ended up like "Brokeback Mountain" meet "Mortal Combat") the moves were refined and of course the "brokeback" ness was reduced together with an increased sense of realism. In fact it got so real that I was going to shout "cut" at certain junction until the kids started huddling together laughing.
Anyway I went back home with a spliting headache and felt that the best thing to do is just to let me thoughts flow through words on the net. It has been an eventful day for me, first I got to know in the morning that I was supposed to be a counsellor to a bunch of students who has apparently commmitted some offence during the Perth fieldtrip. They feel that being a guy, a young man, a married man I would be in a good position to share about the nos about certain things. Anyway I shan't wash dirty laundry in the cyberspace public but I must say it is quite a unique experience for me though I had to call my wifey, who happens to be a social worker btw to give me some advice. Then there was another case of another student in my class who apparently have been missing school for a while even after her suspension. Even though the form teacher ( a close colleague of mine) emphasize that there was nothing wrong. But as a typical humanities teacher who is blessed with the skills of inference and analysis. i was able to put two things together and got the conclusion ( Anyway the two issues mentioned is not related but yet related at the same time, if you are not so dense :P) Sometimes curiosity do kill the cat.
Now I am just crossing my fingers and hope that everything goes on smoothly tomorrow or should I say in about 10 hours time sigh!!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
The One with the Week 4 of Term 3
How time flies, and let me hang on to my cape and my ever slipping red underwear.
Term 3 comes and before you knew it , it is already week 4 ( and counting down the week to September). It is the usual hush and puff and of course the seemingly mad frantic and punsihing pace of school. Grouchy look and stressed faces had started to appear among the many residing in the staffroom. Colleagues losing their usual bubbly nature and losing battles against simple viruses. There were others who literally took the "s" from stress and got a new haircut, a new hairdo with maggie mee- like tresses. In fact one of the canteen vendors asked me in hushed tones whether the hairdo was part of the commemoration of Racial Harmony Day, even though I am not quite sure whether how is that so. Anyway, there were many revelations of teachers applying for open posting, many contemplated on quitting and many started bingeing. It is such a typical sight of Term 3 and as one of the members of the relief committee, it is quite usual to see a LONG list of absent teachers everyday. I guess stress really take its toil.
In fact I told one of the Sec 4N class who is still apparently in holiday mood to literally "wake up" their ideas, and all I got were sleepy looks which disappeared almost instanteously when the recess bell goes.
Anyway I have no answer to the increasing stress and stuff. For I tried to adopt a "Zen"-like attitude towards work during term 3 where "work is no work" but "no work can also be work" type of mentality. Seems chim and it took me a while and a few stacks of marking to fully comprehend the gis of that. But then again I digress.
I was going to tell you all about what happen over the week and how things are going now with the little addition in the family. But I guess you can pretty much read it from here. Someone who I was subconsciously thinking about, had actuall found my blog and made contact! I was so surprised and happy. Took some time to read through her blog entries and am really happy that she is doing well in Sydney. It has been a long while almost 2 years plus since I last saw her. In fact i wrote an emotional entry then which I guess she never managed to read it. How time flies and how we have aged over time!
Maybe time had been kind to both of us, and bringing us apart at a time when our differences threaten to spoil our relationship. Maybe time was bad to both of us, and it seems that metaphorically speaking we are now isle apart in our pursuits.
After my trip to Perth, I was telling myself that one day I would leave the sunny isle and live in a place where the pace of life is less stressful and idyllic. Maybe I will make good my promise one day when I am sick of all the worldy pursuit and finally willing to live life as simply as I want. But till then I am still having a world of a time; hm... maybe that is where the stress is coming from? :)
How time flies, and let me hang on to my cape and my ever slipping red underwear.
Term 3 comes and before you knew it , it is already week 4 ( and counting down the week to September). It is the usual hush and puff and of course the seemingly mad frantic and punsihing pace of school. Grouchy look and stressed faces had started to appear among the many residing in the staffroom. Colleagues losing their usual bubbly nature and losing battles against simple viruses. There were others who literally took the "s" from stress and got a new haircut, a new hairdo with maggie mee- like tresses. In fact one of the canteen vendors asked me in hushed tones whether the hairdo was part of the commemoration of Racial Harmony Day, even though I am not quite sure whether how is that so. Anyway, there were many revelations of teachers applying for open posting, many contemplated on quitting and many started bingeing. It is such a typical sight of Term 3 and as one of the members of the relief committee, it is quite usual to see a LONG list of absent teachers everyday. I guess stress really take its toil.
In fact I told one of the Sec 4N class who is still apparently in holiday mood to literally "wake up" their ideas, and all I got were sleepy looks which disappeared almost instanteously when the recess bell goes.
Anyway I have no answer to the increasing stress and stuff. For I tried to adopt a "Zen"-like attitude towards work during term 3 where "work is no work" but "no work can also be work" type of mentality. Seems chim and it took me a while and a few stacks of marking to fully comprehend the gis of that. But then again I digress.
I was going to tell you all about what happen over the week and how things are going now with the little addition in the family. But I guess you can pretty much read it from here. Someone who I was subconsciously thinking about, had actuall found my blog and made contact! I was so surprised and happy. Took some time to read through her blog entries and am really happy that she is doing well in Sydney. It has been a long while almost 2 years plus since I last saw her. In fact i wrote an emotional entry then which I guess she never managed to read it. How time flies and how we have aged over time!
Maybe time had been kind to both of us, and bringing us apart at a time when our differences threaten to spoil our relationship. Maybe time was bad to both of us, and it seems that metaphorically speaking we are now isle apart in our pursuits.
After my trip to Perth, I was telling myself that one day I would leave the sunny isle and live in a place where the pace of life is less stressful and idyllic. Maybe I will make good my promise one day when I am sick of all the worldy pursuit and finally willing to live life as simply as I want. But till then I am still having a world of a time; hm... maybe that is where the stress is coming from? :)
Thursday, July 13, 2006
The One with the obvious drop in standard
After almost 3 week i finally got down to marking the sec 3 holiday work. The quality to say the least was grotesque if you can actually use that adjective. Anyway this was a history homework where they are supposed to do a newspaper frontpage. I thought it was pretty interesting and enough to get the students excited about history. On top of that, I had the best band of the sec 3 history class. So imagine the horror when I took out from my locker the loads of salted vegetables.
This is one :
Dont they understand the meaning of the word A3 Tabloid. I frantically look for the student name and there it is ...
My MNFC chairperson of last year would definitely hand in better work. She was an AEP student and extremely good in her writing... Sigh...
FYI MNFC is Mr NG Fan Club... haha
After almost 3 week i finally got down to marking the sec 3 holiday work. The quality to say the least was grotesque if you can actually use that adjective. Anyway this was a history homework where they are supposed to do a newspaper frontpage. I thought it was pretty interesting and enough to get the students excited about history. On top of that, I had the best band of the sec 3 history class. So imagine the horror when I took out from my locker the loads of salted vegetables.
This is one :
Dont they understand the meaning of the word A3 Tabloid. I frantically look for the student name and there it is ...
My MNFC chairperson of last year would definitely hand in better work. She was an AEP student and extremely good in her writing... Sigh...
FYI MNFC is Mr NG Fan Club... haha
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
The One that I saw him smile to me for the first time
It is a special day today, as i dragged my feet into the infamous class which I so dreaded. However surprisingly, the lesson went on smoothly and I had about a couple of minutes to spare after completing what i wanted to cover.
I took the opportunity to talk to this boy which I have so infamously mentioned before. He happened to be one of the athletes who were taking part in the Nationals. I spoke to him and congratulate him on his qualification for the High Jump event. I told him that he has potential and I would like to train him for his event. He listened to me intently and was thanking me profusely. He smiled at me!
Another boy from the class was called by me. This is also another problematic boy whom I have shouted and screamed at for disruptiuve behaviour and not handing up work. I told him that I knew he went to the hospital with a couple of his friends on friday to visit his form teacher. I enquired from him the form teacher's latest conditions and praise him that what he did was a "nice gesture". he said thanks and He smiled at me!
It was nice and it really made my day.
It is a special day today, as i dragged my feet into the infamous class which I so dreaded. However surprisingly, the lesson went on smoothly and I had about a couple of minutes to spare after completing what i wanted to cover.
I took the opportunity to talk to this boy which I have so infamously mentioned before. He happened to be one of the athletes who were taking part in the Nationals. I spoke to him and congratulate him on his qualification for the High Jump event. I told him that he has potential and I would like to train him for his event. He listened to me intently and was thanking me profusely. He smiled at me!
Another boy from the class was called by me. This is also another problematic boy whom I have shouted and screamed at for disruptiuve behaviour and not handing up work. I told him that I knew he went to the hospital with a couple of his friends on friday to visit his form teacher. I enquired from him the form teacher's latest conditions and praise him that what he did was a "nice gesture". he said thanks and He smiled at me!
It was nice and it really made my day.
The One @ Choa Chu Kang Stadium
A new appointment was entrusted to me. with my previous experience as a track and field teacher, I was asked by the school to look after the ad-hoc group of athletes tand prepare them for the National School Track and Field Competition. Seconded to the Basketball CCA, I was given the sacred appointment of "Special Projects" In Fact the acronym "SP" got many colleagues curious and they were asking about it. I told them it means "Secret Projects" and if I divulge the details, I would have to kill them :P...
Rushing down immediately after lessons, I was overwhelmed by the familiar sight and the used-to-be-routine-yearly responsibilities of bring the girls to the stadium for competition. As I parked my car, I was welcomed by the enthusiastic Track-and-field girls from my previous school who were eagerly trying to fill me in with the latest happenings in school and their performances so far. As I make my way to the grandstand seats, the familiar sight of students in their ever familiar school track attire, doing their warm-ups, striding, the cheering and the bangs of the starter gun brought back some much memories.
Ex students in their JC sport attire came over and say hi. Many were asking for my reasons for leaving the school which they thought I would never leave. I replied with a weak smile and a brave front before digressing to their schoolwork and other mundane stuff. it was nice to be back but then again i thought it was great to be able to feel that i have moved on..(or have I?)
A colleague once asked me whether I regretted leaving my ex-school and all i could say was I believed that I left for a better place for a better me. Maybe it would be and maybe it should be this way. The school had moved on and so should I. But it is always the niggling thought that preoccupied me.
Sorry if I sound rhetorical at times. It is just the bustle of stuff which made me reflect on things.
A new appointment was entrusted to me. with my previous experience as a track and field teacher, I was asked by the school to look after the ad-hoc group of athletes tand prepare them for the National School Track and Field Competition. Seconded to the Basketball CCA, I was given the sacred appointment of "Special Projects" In Fact the acronym "SP" got many colleagues curious and they were asking about it. I told them it means "Secret Projects" and if I divulge the details, I would have to kill them :P...
Rushing down immediately after lessons, I was overwhelmed by the familiar sight and the used-to-be-routine-yearly responsibilities of bring the girls to the stadium for competition. As I parked my car, I was welcomed by the enthusiastic Track-and-field girls from my previous school who were eagerly trying to fill me in with the latest happenings in school and their performances so far. As I make my way to the grandstand seats, the familiar sight of students in their ever familiar school track attire, doing their warm-ups, striding, the cheering and the bangs of the starter gun brought back some much memories.
Ex students in their JC sport attire came over and say hi. Many were asking for my reasons for leaving the school which they thought I would never leave. I replied with a weak smile and a brave front before digressing to their schoolwork and other mundane stuff. it was nice to be back but then again i thought it was great to be able to feel that i have moved on..(or have I?)
A colleague once asked me whether I regretted leaving my ex-school and all i could say was I believed that I left for a better place for a better me. Maybe it would be and maybe it should be this way. The school had moved on and so should I. But it is always the niggling thought that preoccupied me.
Sorry if I sound rhetorical at times. It is just the bustle of stuff which made me reflect on things.
Monday, July 10, 2006
The One with the Interview
Our school was compassionate enough to let the students and teachers come late at 8.30am on Monday morning and lessons resumed at 9.00am. It was well deserved as I was really tired from the Excel Fest. Baby Vernice was also having difficulty sleeping because of an uncomfortable blocked nose. But then again I digress..
My colleague came to me, telling me that she got an interview for a post in my previous school. it came as a shock ( maybe 2 shocks?). Firstly she seems well settled and adjusted in the school that i though she would be the last one to leave. After going through the previous principal's dynasty, and surviving and being the last (wo)man standing from the same batch, I did not expect her to have this fleeting thought of leaving.
Perhap my work review with her got her thinking about her future, her path from now. In my usual story telling mood, I told her about the story of a flea. I asked her whether she knew that a flea is able to jump about 200 times the length of its own body. Then again I digress again... I shared with her that there used to be a flea caught in a glass cylinder. As it jumped, it hits the top of the container; which proves to be extremely painful for the flea. the flea tried again and again and everytime it suffered from the collision with the glass cylinder. Slowly it started to adjust the height of its jump so that it would almost touch the cover. This went on for weeks. One day the lid was open and yet the flea was not able to get out, for it has been unable to jump out. it has gotten use to the height which have given it no pain..
I guess she understood the story behind the analogy. She told me that this story got her thinking about what she want and she realised she did not want to stay on and realised she cannot jump out anymore. She did not want to be the flea in the story. That was why she decided to try for the open postings and my former school was one of the choices. This happened to be shock #2.
Much as I was unwilling to see her leave, I was happy that she is moving out of her comfort zone and doing something that she had in her words "lost the courage a long time ago". As a friend and a colleague I decided to help her by giving her the insider's view of the interview... what the interviewers might ask ( my former P's and HOD's likes and dislikes, possible questions and standard answers as liken from a TYS)
As I was preparing her for the interview, it got me thinking that it was almost a year ago that I was going through the same process, the emotional roller-coasters and the anxiety and hesitations.
As I plonked myself in my little cubicle, I said a silent prayer and hope that everything will go on smoothly for her.
Updated
She came back telling me that the interview went on smoothly, though they were more interested in the different systems that my present school have to offer. However as a friend and colleague she now can fully emphathise with the cultural shocks I initally have coming to this school after her brief encounter with my ex school's students and the school management.
Our school was compassionate enough to let the students and teachers come late at 8.30am on Monday morning and lessons resumed at 9.00am. It was well deserved as I was really tired from the Excel Fest. Baby Vernice was also having difficulty sleeping because of an uncomfortable blocked nose. But then again I digress..
My colleague came to me, telling me that she got an interview for a post in my previous school. it came as a shock ( maybe 2 shocks?). Firstly she seems well settled and adjusted in the school that i though she would be the last one to leave. After going through the previous principal's dynasty, and surviving and being the last (wo)man standing from the same batch, I did not expect her to have this fleeting thought of leaving.
Perhap my work review with her got her thinking about her future, her path from now. In my usual story telling mood, I told her about the story of a flea. I asked her whether she knew that a flea is able to jump about 200 times the length of its own body. Then again I digress again... I shared with her that there used to be a flea caught in a glass cylinder. As it jumped, it hits the top of the container; which proves to be extremely painful for the flea. the flea tried again and again and everytime it suffered from the collision with the glass cylinder. Slowly it started to adjust the height of its jump so that it would almost touch the cover. This went on for weeks. One day the lid was open and yet the flea was not able to get out, for it has been unable to jump out. it has gotten use to the height which have given it no pain..
I guess she understood the story behind the analogy. She told me that this story got her thinking about what she want and she realised she did not want to stay on and realised she cannot jump out anymore. She did not want to be the flea in the story. That was why she decided to try for the open postings and my former school was one of the choices. This happened to be shock #2.
Much as I was unwilling to see her leave, I was happy that she is moving out of her comfort zone and doing something that she had in her words "lost the courage a long time ago". As a friend and a colleague I decided to help her by giving her the insider's view of the interview... what the interviewers might ask ( my former P's and HOD's likes and dislikes, possible questions and standard answers as liken from a TYS)
As I was preparing her for the interview, it got me thinking that it was almost a year ago that I was going through the same process, the emotional roller-coasters and the anxiety and hesitations.
As I plonked myself in my little cubicle, I said a silent prayer and hope that everything will go on smoothly for her.
Updated
She came back telling me that the interview went on smoothly, though they were more interested in the different systems that my present school have to offer. However as a friend and colleague she now can fully emphathise with the cultural shocks I initally have coming to this school after her brief encounter with my ex school's students and the school management.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
The One with the end of the Excel Fest
Bitching time... be forewarned
Yes it is finally over and let me catch my breath momentarily. Piles of work awaiting me to mark and a huge school event,"racial harmony Day" and my NE committee awaiting me to give a go-ahead with the preparation. Sigh! talk about Responsibilities. in fact I was so tired that I had again failed to watch the 3am 3rd/4th placing game in the world Cup. Infact I am disappointed to say that I have only watch like 5 matches throughout the whole world cup in enitirety and like mayeb another 5 which I never lasted to watch the ending, only waking up to turn the TV off after catching it "sneering" at my laborious attempt to keep awake.
Anyway back to the Excel Fest, after weeks of intense preparations, It finally came to fruition on Friday. With so much aplomb and anticipation leading up to THE event, it was supposed to be a GREAT Event. However I looked back with more disappointments. There were plenty of learning points, plenty of good stuff but somehow the negative things since to outweigh the pros.
First and foremost it was a great learning experiences with showcases of great ideas and plenty of interaction ( good and bad) between the various participating schools. The experiences had been exhilrating. But there were a couple of points which I really have to get it out of my system.
1) Bad Idea of Decentalisation
This year the organising big-wigs had decided that they are going to have a decentralised system of having 4 -5 anchor schools in each zones so as to facilitate more outflow of innovative ideas and better interaction between the schools of the various zones, however the idea backfired bigtime. A lot of people were in fact put off by the fact that they have to travel ala amazing race to move from one holding school to another so as to view the other exhibits. On top of that the schools are do not have the logistics to cope with a huge turnout (if there were any). Carpark lots lacking, food for the visitors were also lacking in variety. Maybe it was just a case of over ambitious.
2) Bad Turnout
If I have not remember wrongly, they expected about 600 people a day to visit the I & E exhibition and the Classroom experience per day, but sad to say it is the teachers and students presentes who were sweating in the hot and stuffy halls who are making up the numbers in the school where I was having our exhibition booth. My school entourage included a total of 4 teachers, 3 technical support ( one for each shift), 1 D & T support, 6 student presenters and 12 NCC boys as mobile exhibits. I guess we were one of the , if not, the largest group in the whole exhibition. However other than a coupl of disinterested teachers who were idling their time before they rushed for the classroom experience in about say 10 minutes, my student presenters only managed to introduce our creative ideas to just a handful of them on the first day. In fact the primary school kids were in awe when our NCC boys were performaing their rifles displays in their camouflage kit. We came back feeling than it was amore of a marketing stunt rather than a showcase of our ideas. In fact kudos to our hosting primary school, for ingeniously putting plenty of fringe events such as story telling session, dances to entice the audience. However it doesnt really seem very I & E but more like a school's attempt at attracting students in view of the Primary one registration. I guess that is the "Excel" part in the "Excel Fest"
2) Bad Venue
Many teachers I spoke to, agree that to have such a place for an exhibition is quite a turn off. The hall was stuffy ebven for the 100 odd presenters and students in the hall and I can't imagine if there were indeed 600 people in the hall at one time viewing the exhibtion. It woudl have been a burning furnace in there. Although the coolers did help a little, but I believe many would love to showcase our innovative ideas with a smile, and not grouchy looks, with beads os perspirations streaming down our cheeks, ruining makeup and stuff. One of my NCC boys was perspiring so badly that his whole uniform is drenched and his camouflage makeup was dripping and he look like a cross between the grinch and paris hilton in the "House of Wax" It was so extremely uncomfortable there and one of my colleagues had a little argument when he place a chair in front of the cooler. he was told to move the chair away as it would obstruct traffic. But the point is ( see point 1) where was the traffic.
3）No Publicity
i guess the exhibitors were disappointed with the relative poor turnout of the public. In fact some question why the MOE did not make any effort to advertise the events since it is like the whole singapore school and the entire teaching population was involved. Many of my friends, even in the journalism and media did not even know about the event. And all of us know, without any publicity there will be no crowd. Many teacher presenters who were there commented that if this is going to be the case, then they would put in lesser effort next year. I totally emphatise with them. My team had put in alot of effort but there were others who put in much more than ours. It was such a pity and a waste ofresources showing it to maybe less than 100 people. I seriously think that it would be difficult to get the trust of the pariticpating schools again if we did our part but yet there was no publicity to tell the whole of singapore about this.
To entertain ourselves to kill boredom, my school student presenters and NCC boys started playing with the primary school children. The teachers were also bored. Some went for extended tea, other took time to chit chat and for the us, we were so bored that the four of us pulled out a table and 4 chairs and started playing....... scrabble. In fact we managed to attract quite a crowd there. Enough said...
Conclusion
A couple of teachers commented that we should have this event in Suntec City, where it was last year. firstly it has the "glam" factor and of course much conducive environment which will invite publicity. Second, it will attract crowds especially the public over the weekend who are in town. It can also be a whole family outing affair. As for building out bonds and interaction between the different zones, separate exhibition halls can be arranged at Suntec City ( they do have different halls not just one) for each zone. Anyway it is just 2 cents worth and let see if the bigwigs would learn from this.
Sigh back to the drawing board...
Bitching time... be forewarned
Yes it is finally over and let me catch my breath momentarily. Piles of work awaiting me to mark and a huge school event,"racial harmony Day" and my NE committee awaiting me to give a go-ahead with the preparation. Sigh! talk about Responsibilities. in fact I was so tired that I had again failed to watch the 3am 3rd/4th placing game in the world Cup. Infact I am disappointed to say that I have only watch like 5 matches throughout the whole world cup in enitirety and like mayeb another 5 which I never lasted to watch the ending, only waking up to turn the TV off after catching it "sneering" at my laborious attempt to keep awake.
Anyway back to the Excel Fest, after weeks of intense preparations, It finally came to fruition on Friday. With so much aplomb and anticipation leading up to THE event, it was supposed to be a GREAT Event. However I looked back with more disappointments. There were plenty of learning points, plenty of good stuff but somehow the negative things since to outweigh the pros.
First and foremost it was a great learning experiences with showcases of great ideas and plenty of interaction ( good and bad) between the various participating schools. The experiences had been exhilrating. But there were a couple of points which I really have to get it out of my system.
1) Bad Idea of Decentalisation
This year the organising big-wigs had decided that they are going to have a decentralised system of having 4 -5 anchor schools in each zones so as to facilitate more outflow of innovative ideas and better interaction between the schools of the various zones, however the idea backfired bigtime. A lot of people were in fact put off by the fact that they have to travel ala amazing race to move from one holding school to another so as to view the other exhibits. On top of that the schools are do not have the logistics to cope with a huge turnout (if there were any). Carpark lots lacking, food for the visitors were also lacking in variety. Maybe it was just a case of over ambitious.
2) Bad Turnout
If I have not remember wrongly, they expected about 600 people a day to visit the I & E exhibition and the Classroom experience per day, but sad to say it is the teachers and students presentes who were sweating in the hot and stuffy halls who are making up the numbers in the school where I was having our exhibition booth. My school entourage included a total of 4 teachers, 3 technical support ( one for each shift), 1 D & T support, 6 student presenters and 12 NCC boys as mobile exhibits. I guess we were one of the , if not, the largest group in the whole exhibition. However other than a coupl of disinterested teachers who were idling their time before they rushed for the classroom experience in about say 10 minutes, my student presenters only managed to introduce our creative ideas to just a handful of them on the first day. In fact the primary school kids were in awe when our NCC boys were performaing their rifles displays in their camouflage kit. We came back feeling than it was amore of a marketing stunt rather than a showcase of our ideas. In fact kudos to our hosting primary school, for ingeniously putting plenty of fringe events such as story telling session, dances to entice the audience. However it doesnt really seem very I & E but more like a school's attempt at attracting students in view of the Primary one registration. I guess that is the "Excel" part in the "Excel Fest"
2) Bad Venue
Many teachers I spoke to, agree that to have such a place for an exhibition is quite a turn off. The hall was stuffy ebven for the 100 odd presenters and students in the hall and I can't imagine if there were indeed 600 people in the hall at one time viewing the exhibtion. It woudl have been a burning furnace in there. Although the coolers did help a little, but I believe many would love to showcase our innovative ideas with a smile, and not grouchy looks, with beads os perspirations streaming down our cheeks, ruining makeup and stuff. One of my NCC boys was perspiring so badly that his whole uniform is drenched and his camouflage makeup was dripping and he look like a cross between the grinch and paris hilton in the "House of Wax" It was so extremely uncomfortable there and one of my colleagues had a little argument when he place a chair in front of the cooler. he was told to move the chair away as it would obstruct traffic. But the point is ( see point 1) where was the traffic.
3）No Publicity
i guess the exhibitors were disappointed with the relative poor turnout of the public. In fact some question why the MOE did not make any effort to advertise the events since it is like the whole singapore school and the entire teaching population was involved. Many of my friends, even in the journalism and media did not even know about the event. And all of us know, without any publicity there will be no crowd. Many teacher presenters who were there commented that if this is going to be the case, then they would put in lesser effort next year. I totally emphatise with them. My team had put in alot of effort but there were others who put in much more than ours. It was such a pity and a waste ofresources showing it to maybe less than 100 people. I seriously think that it would be difficult to get the trust of the pariticpating schools again if we did our part but yet there was no publicity to tell the whole of singapore about this.
To entertain ourselves to kill boredom, my school student presenters and NCC boys started playing with the primary school children. The teachers were also bored. Some went for extended tea, other took time to chit chat and for the us, we were so bored that the four of us pulled out a table and 4 chairs and started playing....... scrabble. In fact we managed to attract quite a crowd there. Enough said...
Conclusion
A couple of teachers commented that we should have this event in Suntec City, where it was last year. firstly it has the "glam" factor and of course much conducive environment which will invite publicity. Second, it will attract crowds especially the public over the weekend who are in town. It can also be a whole family outing affair. As for building out bonds and interaction between the different zones, separate exhibition halls can be arranged at Suntec City ( they do have different halls not just one) for each zone. Anyway it is just 2 cents worth and let see if the bigwigs would learn from this.
Sigh back to the drawing board...
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
The one with the Gate Keeper
It is weird that going back to school in my red underwear and spandex failed to inspire me to perform superhuman feats. I was again caught in the mundane of stuff with the nitty gritty preparation of Excel Fest firmly at the top of my mind.
But then again today I was indeed vested with power, the power to be in charge of the locking up of the school. As a KAH, I am given the sacred responsibility of locking up the school after everyone ( and I mean everyone) has left. Being a dignified gate keeper also mean that I have the power to chase people out ( even the Principal :P) if they stayed beyond the locking time.
I have been preoccupied with work and the preparation of Excel Fest. Will be a relieved man come 8 July
Wish me luck.
It is weird that going back to school in my red underwear and spandex failed to inspire me to perform superhuman feats. I was again caught in the mundane of stuff with the nitty gritty preparation of Excel Fest firmly at the top of my mind.
But then again today I was indeed vested with power, the power to be in charge of the locking up of the school. As a KAH, I am given the sacred responsibility of locking up the school after everyone ( and I mean everyone) has left. Being a dignified gate keeper also mean that I have the power to chase people out ( even the Principal :P) if they stayed beyond the locking time.
I have been preoccupied with work and the preparation of Excel Fest. Will be a relieved man come 8 July
Wish me luck.
Monday, July 03, 2006
The One down memory lane with Superman
So England is out of the World Cup and the bettors' favourite, Brazil was also booted out by the group of grand old fogeys. I guess many will say that these are old news, but sometimes old news is good news, especially for people like me, who literally depend on old news and history to keep my job going :P
Anyway missus and myself decided to spend the afternoon having a little quality time on our own, and what good thing to do then to indulge in our usual favourite pastime - spending the time in a dark room and in an air conditioned environment.... in a cinema hall ( what were you thinking anyway *wink wink). And what better movie to watch than of course a show that draws its inspiration during our time. And of course, if you know which movie I am talking about. Yes that is "Superman returns"!
Let me tell you, when the credits appears, and the familiar superman theme plays throgh the booming speakers, I sworn that I could feel goosebumps. It was such a familiar sight, with the costume clad hero ( with the matching or unmatching red spandex underwear) and of course his love interest Lois Lane. It was literally going down memory lane as i remember the Superman franchise with the late Christopher Reeve as the faster-than-a-speeding-bullet, building-leaping, x-rayed vision misfit hero. Seeing Superman performing all those stunts again albeit in better CGI effects made me fall in love with this hero again. Forget the crap about how those editors panned this movie, and how they mentioned that nowadays people love superheros with a flawed past, I said, give me Superman anytime, for, as I shamelessly quoted from the movie, the world need Superman :P
I realise that I am over-zealous, almost religious about this movie, but it was just something I learnt from the show. For in teachers, I feel that all of us are like Superman, ready to help everyone in need in the speed of light. One of the scene that got me into this reflective mood was when Lois Lane asked Superman why he left, Superman brought Lois Lane to the earth atmosphere and asked her did she hear anything. Lois replied "no" and Superman answered, " I hear everything, the people need me." Call him narcissistic, call him egoistic. But he was there to save the day for he believe as what his father said, all people are good in nature.
With this, I return to school tomorrow with a renewed zest. But first let me iron my superman outfit and my red spandex underwear.
So England is out of the World Cup and the bettors' favourite, Brazil was also booted out by the group of grand old fogeys. I guess many will say that these are old news, but sometimes old news is good news, especially for people like me, who literally depend on old news and history to keep my job going :P
Anyway missus and myself decided to spend the afternoon having a little quality time on our own, and what good thing to do then to indulge in our usual favourite pastime - spending the time in a dark room and in an air conditioned environment.... in a cinema hall ( what were you thinking anyway *wink wink). And what better movie to watch than of course a show that draws its inspiration during our time. And of course, if you know which movie I am talking about. Yes that is "Superman returns"!
Let me tell you, when the credits appears, and the familiar superman theme plays throgh the booming speakers, I sworn that I could feel goosebumps. It was such a familiar sight, with the costume clad hero ( with the matching or unmatching red spandex underwear) and of course his love interest Lois Lane. It was literally going down memory lane as i remember the Superman franchise with the late Christopher Reeve as the faster-than-a-speeding-bullet, building-leaping, x-rayed vision misfit hero. Seeing Superman performing all those stunts again albeit in better CGI effects made me fall in love with this hero again. Forget the crap about how those editors panned this movie, and how they mentioned that nowadays people love superheros with a flawed past, I said, give me Superman anytime, for, as I shamelessly quoted from the movie, the world need Superman :P
I realise that I am over-zealous, almost religious about this movie, but it was just something I learnt from the show. For in teachers, I feel that all of us are like Superman, ready to help everyone in need in the speed of light. One of the scene that got me into this reflective mood was when Lois Lane asked Superman why he left, Superman brought Lois Lane to the earth atmosphere and asked her did she hear anything. Lois replied "no" and Superman answered, " I hear everything, the people need me." Call him narcissistic, call him egoistic. But he was there to save the day for he believe as what his father said, all people are good in nature.
With this, I return to school tomorrow with a renewed zest. But first let me iron my superman outfit and my red spandex underwear.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Excel ExCEL
I am buried to my nose, even to the strands of my nose hair with work. The holidays is barely a week ago, and I feel like I need one again. thank god for the holiday of youth that let me revitalise and recuperate again.
Given my first sacred task to head the school project in the ExCel fest, I am so overwhelmed with the amount of decision I have to made for this 2 day show. incase you are wondering what this excel fest is all about, It is actually to showcase innovative and student initiated activities; besides this the festival will also showcase interesting teaching strategies which made learning interesting. This year for totl defence day I came up with the idea of letting students design their own lessons to encourage them to have better learning and ownership of total defence day and thus they made videos based on that theme. This idea was perceived as innovative and will be showcased in a booth at the school hall in Ahmad Ibrahim Pri. This year, instead of having it in Suntec city like the few years before, they decided to spread to the different zones and bring these ideas to the teachers. Well they do understand that teachers are so busy and they have no time for all this innovative learning etc..
Anyway back to my stress and predicament. Since I was away the good part of the holidays, the team only managed to meet up last week to finalise ideas. that is when the frantic writing of the write up. brochure designs and the booth design come in. It is such a mad rush and on top of that the Sec 4N exams are coming soon and now we are in the midst of preparing them for revision for the N levels. It can be oh so stressful...
Nevertheless wish me luck, and if you have time, dorop by Ahmad Ibrahim Primary on the 7th (for fellow teachers) or 8th (teachers or parents or any inquistive person) and say hi. :)
I am buried to my nose, even to the strands of my nose hair with work. The holidays is barely a week ago, and I feel like I need one again. thank god for the holiday of youth that let me revitalise and recuperate again.
Given my first sacred task to head the school project in the ExCel fest, I am so overwhelmed with the amount of decision I have to made for this 2 day show. incase you are wondering what this excel fest is all about, It is actually to showcase innovative and student initiated activities; besides this the festival will also showcase interesting teaching strategies which made learning interesting. This year for totl defence day I came up with the idea of letting students design their own lessons to encourage them to have better learning and ownership of total defence day and thus they made videos based on that theme. This idea was perceived as innovative and will be showcased in a booth at the school hall in Ahmad Ibrahim Pri. This year, instead of having it in Suntec city like the few years before, they decided to spread to the different zones and bring these ideas to the teachers. Well they do understand that teachers are so busy and they have no time for all this innovative learning etc..
Anyway back to my stress and predicament. Since I was away the good part of the holidays, the team only managed to meet up last week to finalise ideas. that is when the frantic writing of the write up. brochure designs and the booth design come in. It is such a mad rush and on top of that the Sec 4N exams are coming soon and now we are in the midst of preparing them for revision for the N levels. It can be oh so stressful...
Nevertheless wish me luck, and if you have time, dorop by Ahmad Ibrahim Primary on the 7th (for fellow teachers) or 8th (teachers or parents or any inquistive person) and say hi. :)
Sunday, June 25, 2006
The One with the last night before school reopens
Procrastination is a difficult word to spell but yet such a easy thing to do. But I am gald that I finally got my avalanche of photos from my Perth fieldtrip into bubbleshare. A freaking 800 plus pictures, no wonder it took me almost a whole day to get it up. I am jsust going to shamelessly insert the itinerary of the trip which I have gottten from the tour agent to my blog. I guess you smart people will be able to make sense of all the pictures while keeping in mind the itinerary. Here it goes..
10 June
2200H
0005H
Singapore / Perth
Assemble at Changi Airport (Terminal 2)
SQ 225 Flight leaving for Perth.
11 June
0615H
Welcome to Australia / Lucieville Farm
Flight arrives at Perth International Airport, met by our local driver cum guide and proceed to a rest area to freshen up and have breakfast.
We will visit Kings Park where you will get stunning views of Perth City. A short drive orientation drive around the city, taking you to Northbridge, Hay Street.
We will then begin our drive down south.
Lunch enroute.
Arrive at Bunbury to visit the Dolphin Discovery Centre
We shall then proceed to Lucieville Farm.
Afternoon, take part in the activities on the farm.
Tonight, we shall do the animal spotting. Lots of opportunities to see the Australian norturnal animals.
Dinner on farm.
12 June
Lucieville Farm – Margaret River – Pemberton
Breakfast on farm.
After breakfast, bid farewell to our farmhosts and we shall proceed to Margaret River to explore the local attractions as well as Geographical features.
Get a glimpse of the River tributary systems.
Learn how the climate and soil in this area is suitable for grape growing and how it has helped make Margaret River a world famous wine region.
Visit to Jewel Cave. The cave is noted for its Beautiful formations including the longest straw Stalactite found in any tourist cave.
Also, visit to Cape Leeuwin, where there is a lighthouse to guide the ships away from this rocky coast.
From Margeret River, we will proceed to Pemberton.
Visit the Tall Tree Lookout.
Overnight Gloucester Motel
13 June
Pemberton – Albany
After breakfast, we depart Pemberton and proceed to
Albany. En route, we will visit the Valley of the
Giants-Tree top walk where you can explore
Western Australia’s world famous forest of gigantic
Tingle trees and take a bird’s eye view of the towering
Forest from Tree Top Walk.
At Albany, we shall visit the Albany Wind Farm.
Overnight at Metro Inn Albany
14 June
Albany - Perth
Breakfast in the hotel
School Visit. Cultural exchange with Albany High School.
Students interaction and classroom experience.
At Albany, we will view the coastal features. Visit The Gap – a 24m drop to the sea and the Natural Bridge a monumental span of granite, demonstrating the awesome power of the sea when a heavy swell is running. See also the Blow Holes which is a series of fissures in the granite rocks on the coast, which make loud hissing noises and act like geysers when water is forced by large waves through the rocks
Lunch followed by coach journey back to Perth
Overnight at Aarons Hotel
15 June
Perth – The Pinnacles / Kalbbari National Park
Breakfast in the hotel.
After breakfast, proceed to Nambung National Park
is 19 km south east of the township and it’s here you’ll find the amazing Pinnacles, thousands of limestone stalagmite-like formations that measure up to four metres high and resembles the ruins of an ancient city.
Join the 4WD tour and sand tobogganing.
Lunch is a picnic style.
After dinner, transfer back to Aarons Hotels & Resorts
16 June
Perth – Wave Rock (B, L, D.)
Breakfast in the hotel.
You will spent a day visiting Wave Rock. The Wave on Hyden Rock is one of Australia’s most famous landforms, situated 4 km east of the town of Hyden. Rising 15m above the ground and more than 100m long. Wave Rock looks a giant surf wave of multicoloured granite about to crash onto the bush below. En route, we will also pass through township of York. Here you can get a glimpse of the townships dependence on its location in the 1900s when it was serving as the crossroads for the farming communities traveling to Perth and the Ports at Fremantle.
(Lunch and Dinner will be at local restaurant.)
After dinner, transfer back to Aarons Hotels & Resorts.
17 June
Perth – Singapore
After breakfast, check out of hotel.
We will proceed to Fremantle to look at this Historic Port City as well as visit to the famed Fremantle markets.
A quick lunch, then its transfer to the airport for our flight back.
The trip was a great eyeopener to see Australia and most importantly bonding with my colleagues and getting in groove with the way the school do things. Anyway here is the link
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The lazy sunday was spend by having some bonding time with Vernice and my wife. Went out for lunch at Paddyfields. And just wanted to share that this is a great thai restaurant with great food and great ambience. Situated at copperdome just at Anchorpoint, directly opposite Ikea, the place is a quiet place to catch up with my two friends who wanted to see Vernice. However the zen-like tranquility whole place was marred by Vernice incessant crying because of her need for moo-moo and her unhappiness of being interrupted from her beauty sleep. Thanks to my dearie wife who spend the whole entire lunch carrying her, we were able to keep her crying in alas short spasms/spurts?? do go and try the food there. But be forewarned it is a little on the pricey side....
Let me just spend the last few hours walloping in self pity.. :P
The Ego One
Procrastination is a difficult word to spell but yet such a easy thing to do. But I am gald that I finally got my avalanche of photos from my Perth fieldtrip into bubbleshare. A freaking 800 plus pictures, no wonder it took me almost a whole day to get it up. I am jsust going to shamelessly insert the itinerary of the trip which I have gottten from the tour agent to my blog. I guess you smart people will be able to make sense of all the pictures while keeping in mind the itinerary. Here it goes..
10 June
2200H
0005H
Singapore / Perth
Assemble at Changi Airport (Terminal 2)
SQ 225 Flight leaving for Perth.
11 June
0615H
Welcome to Australia / Lucieville Farm
Flight arrives at Perth International Airport, met by our local driver cum guide and proceed to a rest area to freshen up and have breakfast.
We will visit Kings Park where you will get stunning views of Perth City. A short drive orientation drive around the city, taking you to Northbridge, Hay Street.
We will then begin our drive down south.
Lunch enroute.
Arrive at Bunbury to visit the Dolphin Discovery Centre
We shall then proceed to Lucieville Farm.
Afternoon, take part in the activities on the farm.
Tonight, we shall do the animal spotting. Lots of opportunities to see the Australian norturnal animals.
Dinner on farm.
12 June
Lucieville Farm – Margaret River – Pemberton
Breakfast on farm.
After breakfast, bid farewell to our farmhosts and we shall proceed to Margaret River to explore the local attractions as well as Geographical features.
Get a glimpse of the River tributary systems.
Learn how the climate and soil in this area is suitable for grape growing and how it has helped make Margaret River a world famous wine region.
Visit to Jewel Cave. The cave is noted for its Beautiful formations including the longest straw Stalactite found in any tourist cave.
Also, visit to Cape Leeuwin, where there is a lighthouse to guide the ships away from this rocky coast.
From Margeret River, we will proceed to Pemberton.
Visit the Tall Tree Lookout.
Overnight Gloucester Motel
13 June
Pemberton – Albany
After breakfast, we depart Pemberton and proceed to
Albany. En route, we will visit the Valley of the
Giants-Tree top walk where you can explore
Western Australia’s world famous forest of gigantic
Tingle trees and take a bird’s eye view of the towering
Forest from Tree Top Walk.
At Albany, we shall visit the Albany Wind Farm.
Overnight at Metro Inn Albany
14 June
Albany - Perth
Breakfast in the hotel
School Visit. Cultural exchange with Albany High School.
Students interaction and classroom experience.
At Albany, we will view the coastal features. Visit The Gap – a 24m drop to the sea and the Natural Bridge a monumental span of granite, demonstrating the awesome power of the sea when a heavy swell is running. See also the Blow Holes which is a series of fissures in the granite rocks on the coast, which make loud hissing noises and act like geysers when water is forced by large waves through the rocks
Lunch followed by coach journey back to Perth
Overnight at Aarons Hotel
15 June
Perth – The Pinnacles / Kalbbari National Park
Breakfast in the hotel.
After breakfast, proceed to Nambung National Park
is 19 km south east of the township and it’s here you’ll find the amazing Pinnacles, thousands of limestone stalagmite-like formations that measure up to four metres high and resembles the ruins of an ancient city.
Join the 4WD tour and sand tobogganing.
Lunch is a picnic style.
After dinner, transfer back to Aarons Hotels & Resorts
16 June
Perth – Wave Rock (B, L, D.)
Breakfast in the hotel.
You will spent a day visiting Wave Rock. The Wave on Hyden Rock is one of Australia’s most famous landforms, situated 4 km east of the town of Hyden. Rising 15m above the ground and more than 100m long. Wave Rock looks a giant surf wave of multicoloured granite about to crash onto the bush below. En route, we will also pass through township of York. Here you can get a glimpse of the townships dependence on its location in the 1900s when it was serving as the crossroads for the farming communities traveling to Perth and the Ports at Fremantle.
(Lunch and Dinner will be at local restaurant.)
After dinner, transfer back to Aarons Hotels & Resorts.
17 June
Perth – Singapore
After breakfast, check out of hotel.
We will proceed to Fremantle to look at this Historic Port City as well as visit to the famed Fremantle markets.
A quick lunch, then its transfer to the airport for our flight back.
The trip was a great eyeopener to see Australia and most importantly bonding with my colleagues and getting in groove with the way the school do things. Anyway here is the link
This album is powered by
BubbleShare
- Add to my blog
The lazy sunday was spend by having some bonding time with Vernice and my wife. Went out for lunch at Paddyfields. And just wanted to share that this is a great thai restaurant with great food and great ambience. Situated at copperdome just at Anchorpoint, directly opposite Ikea, the place is a quiet place to catch up with my two friends who wanted to see Vernice. However the zen-like tranquility whole place was marred by Vernice incessant crying because of her need for moo-moo and her unhappiness of being interrupted from her beauty sleep. Thanks to my dearie wife who spend the whole entire lunch carrying her, we were able to keep her crying in alas short spasms/spurts?? do go and try the food there. But be forewarned it is a little on the pricey side....
Let me just spend the last few hours walloping in self pity.. :P
The Ego One
Saturday, June 24, 2006
The one with the last weekend before the term start (again)
I am writing this with a *sic* heavy heart as I count-downed the hours when I again have to wake up at ungodly hours and begin my "tireless 4 wheel drive" to my school. There is just a certain reluctance and unwillingness to go back to school, citing reasons like not enough rest or not enough holidays. However barring all these, I must say that this holiday had been really well spent ( not in resting though) as I am fully occupied with stuff in school and at home.
I would love to give a day-by-day account of the stuff that I have been doing during this 4 weeks but i guess I will really bore the hell out of every readers. Instead I am going to be really anal about all this and be so damn caluclative that I am going to put everything in a pie chart. in total there are like 4 weeks mulitply by 7 days multiply by 24 hours = 672 hours in this whole entire holiday. I have done a mental calculation and I realised that that I have spent almost 300 hours ie almost half of my holidays in school related activities. Some of you might sneered at me being so calculative.. but if you would do the maths again, that would mean I have about 372 hours and if you minus off 4 mulitply by 7 multiply by 8 hours of sleep = 224 and add 3 mulitply by 4 mulitply by 7 = 84 hour of meal time. That is a total of 308 hour which mean that I have only *gasp* 372-308= 64 hours which is like less than 3 days of break..
Hm... and why am I spending my remainder of 64 hours blogging something totally irrelevant?
I am writing this with a *sic* heavy heart as I count-downed the hours when I again have to wake up at ungodly hours and begin my "tireless 4 wheel drive" to my school. There is just a certain reluctance and unwillingness to go back to school, citing reasons like not enough rest or not enough holidays. However barring all these, I must say that this holiday had been really well spent ( not in resting though) as I am fully occupied with stuff in school and at home.
I would love to give a day-by-day account of the stuff that I have been doing during this 4 weeks but i guess I will really bore the hell out of every readers. Instead I am going to be really anal about all this and be so damn caluclative that I am going to put everything in a pie chart. in total there are like 4 weeks mulitply by 7 days multiply by 24 hours = 672 hours in this whole entire holiday. I have done a mental calculation and I realised that that I have spent almost 300 hours ie almost half of my holidays in school related activities. Some of you might sneered at me being so calculative.. but if you would do the maths again, that would mean I have about 372 hours and if you minus off 4 mulitply by 7 multiply by 8 hours of sleep = 224 and add 3 mulitply by 4 mulitply by 7 = 84 hour of meal time. That is a total of 308 hour which mean that I have only *gasp* 372-308= 64 hours which is like less than 3 days of break..
Hm... and why am I spending my remainder of 64 hours blogging something totally irrelevant?
Saturday, June 10, 2006
The One about don't know what to blog
As usual, it is the time of the year again when I am too busy/bochup/lazy to blog. Actually i am as usual facing my seasonal blogger's block where I am having so much difficulty trying to come up with things to bitch about.
Actually to have time is indeed a luxury for me. since the holidays 2 weeks ago ( has it been so long), i have been going back to school alomost every day to help out in the sec 4 enrichment camp ( so as to speak) and of course the mandatory NE quiz (yes that is part of my portfolio) Tonight at T2 I will be flying off for a 7 day fieldtrip ( yes work again...) to Perth for a geography fieldtrip.
I hope I will be able to get some inspiration to write about stuff there. Maybe the one that I will miss is peaceful nights of uninterrupted sleep in Perth. Surely Ytzens dont have a habit to cry in the night like my baby Vernice.
Anyway for those who read this post. i am planning a simple bbq at my place for those who would like to catch a glimpse of my little princess. it would be on 21 june evening. I know that 4/4 will be coming that evening. If you would like to be here and of course you are ok with the class, please drop me a mail or sms or leave a tag on my board. so that i would not end up having not enough food that day. remember 21 june bbq evening. See ya!
As usual, it is the time of the year again when I am too busy/bochup/lazy to blog. Actually i am as usual facing my seasonal blogger's block where I am having so much difficulty trying to come up with things to bitch about.
Actually to have time is indeed a luxury for me. since the holidays 2 weeks ago ( has it been so long), i have been going back to school alomost every day to help out in the sec 4 enrichment camp ( so as to speak) and of course the mandatory NE quiz (yes that is part of my portfolio) Tonight at T2 I will be flying off for a 7 day fieldtrip ( yes work again...) to Perth for a geography fieldtrip.
I hope I will be able to get some inspiration to write about stuff there. Maybe the one that I will miss is peaceful nights of uninterrupted sleep in Perth. Surely Ytzens dont have a habit to cry in the night like my baby Vernice.
Anyway for those who read this post. i am planning a simple bbq at my place for those who would like to catch a glimpse of my little princess. it would be on 21 june evening. I know that 4/4 will be coming that evening. If you would like to be here and of course you are ok with the class, please drop me a mail or sms or leave a tag on my board. so that i would not end up having not enough food that day. remember 21 june bbq evening. See ya!
Sunday, May 21, 2006
The One about a Song
(sung to the tune of "My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean")
My Baby she wants my attention
My Baby she just won't go to sleep
My Baby she cries when she needs moo moo
Oh heck, she cried whenever she needs
Vernice Oh Vernice
Oh please give daddy and mummy some sleep some sleep
Vernice Oh Vernice
Please don't poo or pee, after you have been cleaned.
(sung to the tune of "My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean")
My Baby she wants my attention
My Baby she just won't go to sleep
My Baby she cries when she needs moo moo
Oh heck, she cried whenever she needs
Vernice Oh Vernice
Oh please give daddy and mummy some sleep some sleep
Vernice Oh Vernice
Please don't poo or pee, after you have been cleaned.
Friday, May 19, 2006
The one about Failing
I have not associated myself to students failing badly in IJ and it came as a culture shock the results that I have gotten so far. Colleagues offered words of encouragement. Infact they were pretty non-chalant about it, some were looking at the analysis and said that the results were quoted unquoted “satisfactory”. Difference in results, difference in standard and so different in expectations. I was immersed in a culture where students good results were a given, and I guess it is also the type of school culture that I was in, and the calibre of my students then.
Then again, much as I would like to give them a pass grade, based on my compassion as a teacher who witnessed how hardworking and motivated they were, I am bounded by my professionalism and integrity to reflect the full nature of their results.
Faces changed when they received their examination scripts. No gleeing in joy, just blank looks or looks of disbelief. A penny for their thoughts – the worry of facing their parents with high expectations, who find their hopes dashing with every fail grade their child get.
Starkly contrasting in classes and attitude - Disappointment, anger, frustration and silence versus “bo-chup”ness( couldn’t-care-less attitude) and oblivion. Have the students got so used to the negative thoughts that failing was almost by default? No matter what they do, the elusive pass will remained ELUSIVE. In fact it was the catchphrase of the day “I failed”.
Some said Humanities is a difficult subject to comprehend, difficult subject to study and memorise, difficult to understand and most importantly difficult to score. I couldn’t agree with it less. But then again, to coneveniently chuck this as a reason would be merely looking for excuses. Guess students and teachers alike just have to overcome this setback and try again, and if failed, try again, and again and again.
There will definitely come another time, another day, where maybe the same scenario will be, but whether I would have the same thoughts is an issue that I am still grappling with…
I have not associated myself to students failing badly in IJ and it came as a culture shock the results that I have gotten so far. Colleagues offered words of encouragement. Infact they were pretty non-chalant about it, some were looking at the analysis and said that the results were quoted unquoted “satisfactory”. Difference in results, difference in standard and so different in expectations. I was immersed in a culture where students good results were a given, and I guess it is also the type of school culture that I was in, and the calibre of my students then.
Then again, much as I would like to give them a pass grade, based on my compassion as a teacher who witnessed how hardworking and motivated they were, I am bounded by my professionalism and integrity to reflect the full nature of their results.
Faces changed when they received their examination scripts. No gleeing in joy, just blank looks or looks of disbelief. A penny for their thoughts – the worry of facing their parents with high expectations, who find their hopes dashing with every fail grade their child get.
Starkly contrasting in classes and attitude - Disappointment, anger, frustration and silence versus “bo-chup”ness( couldn’t-care-less attitude) and oblivion. Have the students got so used to the negative thoughts that failing was almost by default? No matter what they do, the elusive pass will remained ELUSIVE. In fact it was the catchphrase of the day “I failed”.
Some said Humanities is a difficult subject to comprehend, difficult subject to study and memorise, difficult to understand and most importantly difficult to score. I couldn’t agree with it less. But then again, to coneveniently chuck this as a reason would be merely looking for excuses. Guess students and teachers alike just have to overcome this setback and try again, and if failed, try again, and again and again.
There will definitely come another time, another day, where maybe the same scenario will be, but whether I would have the same thoughts is an issue that I am still grappling with…
Monday, May 15, 2006
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
The One about Random Thoughts and Comments
Thought #1
The school turned "grave-yardish" even before 5.00 pm these couple of days. For the discerning, this is the period of the mid year exams. As a KAH who hadjust joined the school a couple of months ago, the school was buzzing with activities and the staff room would usually be bustling after 6.00pm. Maybe it is due to the mid year exams - the kids are mugging, parent-teachers or teacher-parents are rushing home to supervise their kids.
Enjoy the bliss of peace, said one colleague. For when the marking come, the tight schedule will suffocate you. For me, it is not too much of a difference. I will be marking throughout the long weekend.
Comment #2
A student asked during my revision with them for the History Sec 2 Mid year.
"cher, during the second world war, India under where?"
I have to stop and control from bursting out in laughter. The class was not so tolerant; they burst out laughing non stop and it took me a whole 5 minutes to settle them down again.
Comment #3
A colleague proffered his nugget of wisdom on dealing with wayward kids. You either give them T-L-C (Tender Loving Care) or R-L-C ( Right Left and Centre)
Comment #4
"class, do you know what is a metro-sexual?"
"Cher, i know i know, it is ah-kwa!"
Thought #5
A colleague never failed to giggle when she see me. Out of curiosity I ask her why. The answer was not really flattering. "Oh because you very funny, like the 周星驰! (Stephen Chow)" I guess I am in the wrong profession, should have join the loser show on Channel 8 "永不言败 "
Thought #6
A student raised his hand to get my attention. As I was standing by his side, he asked "cher, must I use what I have learnt to answer the question?" I replied "if not, what are you planning to use?"
After apparently an hour, the one student raised his hand, frantically to get my attention. he pointed to one of the question and asked, "cher i don't agree to this question, can I answer my own question?"
Pretty amazing the type of questions they ask...
The kids, the teachers here sometimes do bring smiles to me and my stressful life :P
Thought #1
The school turned "grave-yardish" even before 5.00 pm these couple of days. For the discerning, this is the period of the mid year exams. As a KAH who hadjust joined the school a couple of months ago, the school was buzzing with activities and the staff room would usually be bustling after 6.00pm. Maybe it is due to the mid year exams - the kids are mugging, parent-teachers or teacher-parents are rushing home to supervise their kids.
Enjoy the bliss of peace, said one colleague. For when the marking come, the tight schedule will suffocate you. For me, it is not too much of a difference. I will be marking throughout the long weekend.
Comment #2
A student asked during my revision with them for the History Sec 2 Mid year.
"cher, during the second world war, India under where?"
I have to stop and control from bursting out in laughter. The class was not so tolerant; they burst out laughing non stop and it took me a whole 5 minutes to settle them down again.
Comment #3
A colleague proffered his nugget of wisdom on dealing with wayward kids. You either give them T-L-C (Tender Loving Care) or R-L-C ( Right Left and Centre)
Comment #4
"class, do you know what is a metro-sexual?"
"Cher, i know i know, it is ah-kwa!"
Thought #5
A colleague never failed to giggle when she see me. Out of curiosity I ask her why. The answer was not really flattering. "Oh because you very funny, like the 周星驰! (Stephen Chow)" I guess I am in the wrong profession, should have join the loser show on Channel 8 "永不言败 "
Thought #6
A student raised his hand to get my attention. As I was standing by his side, he asked "cher, must I use what I have learnt to answer the question?" I replied "if not, what are you planning to use?"
After apparently an hour, the one student raised his hand, frantically to get my attention. he pointed to one of the question and asked, "cher i don't agree to this question, can I answer my own question?"
Pretty amazing the type of questions they ask...
The kids, the teachers here sometimes do bring smiles to me and my stressful life :P
Monday, May 08, 2006
The One with the Screaming and Shouting
Throughout my 6 years plus teaching experience, I have never experience a class so disunited and so disinterested in studies. Engaging them seem to be my biggest challenge, you know as teachers, you walked out of a hour lessons, drenched in sweat, feeling a bit of soreness in your throat, and you know that you have tried so much your best in giving your very best in a class. This class never failed to have this "miraculous effect" on me.
I do agree that I am not a very interesting teacher but it is a challenge to engage them when half of the time there will be disruptive behaviour - whether it is a curt remark, a snide comment, flying pencil cases/ pen caps, or even non-sensical laughter. I have to admit I do dislike the class especially a couple of them who are recalcitrant cases never failing to get onto your nerves.
An incident happened today in class, Boy A was in class putting his head on the table when I was busy trying to highlight the key ideas for the students for the midyear exams. After warning him not to do that in class for upteenth times ( from putting his head on the table to sitting with 2 legs of the chair with head supported by the classroom wall) I lost my temper and asked him to get out of the class and stand outside. In an act of defiance, he kicked his chair and banged his hand on the table. This incensed me and I told him louder to get out of the class, not before warning him to take the notes out with him and followed the lesson from outside of the class. Upon reaching the corridor, he put his head again on the locker top which of course was corrected angrily by me.
It was only after ALL these, that one boy told me, "cher, A not feeling well, he a bit feverish..."
Sigh....
Anyway to keep the long story short, I reprimanded the class for not telling me when I warned A not to sleep in class the very first time. And of course I got the student back in class and in front of the whole class, apologise to him...
Could I have handle this better? Did I let my "flawed" perception got the better of me?
What will you have done?
Throughout my 6 years plus teaching experience, I have never experience a class so disunited and so disinterested in studies. Engaging them seem to be my biggest challenge, you know as teachers, you walked out of a hour lessons, drenched in sweat, feeling a bit of soreness in your throat, and you know that you have tried so much your best in giving your very best in a class. This class never failed to have this "miraculous effect" on me.
I do agree that I am not a very interesting teacher but it is a challenge to engage them when half of the time there will be disruptive behaviour - whether it is a curt remark, a snide comment, flying pencil cases/ pen caps, or even non-sensical laughter. I have to admit I do dislike the class especially a couple of them who are recalcitrant cases never failing to get onto your nerves.
An incident happened today in class, Boy A was in class putting his head on the table when I was busy trying to highlight the key ideas for the students for the midyear exams. After warning him not to do that in class for upteenth times ( from putting his head on the table to sitting with 2 legs of the chair with head supported by the classroom wall) I lost my temper and asked him to get out of the class and stand outside. In an act of defiance, he kicked his chair and banged his hand on the table. This incensed me and I told him louder to get out of the class, not before warning him to take the notes out with him and followed the lesson from outside of the class. Upon reaching the corridor, he put his head again on the locker top which of course was corrected angrily by me.
It was only after ALL these, that one boy told me, "cher, A not feeling well, he a bit feverish..."
Sigh....
Anyway to keep the long story short, I reprimanded the class for not telling me when I warned A not to sleep in class the very first time. And of course I got the student back in class and in front of the whole class, apologise to him...
Could I have handle this better? Did I let my "flawed" perception got the better of me?
What will you have done?
The One with the change in me
Sometimes people realise they change when they have other priorities in their lives. All the while, my career was always the utmost one. However when Vernice came into our life in the form of a little thing in my wife's tummy, I still did not have the full impact. Work, Friends, family still took priority in the following order. Then when I witnessed her, I realised what I want more than anything else - to be able to see her grow up to be a fine lady. I realised I have changed, my focus have changed, my priorities have changed, my perspective have changed.
I know I have been blogging alot on my little bundle of joy. She can be a bit of a handful especially with her irregular sleeping hours and her unforseen and highly unpredictable "big and small business". It has been tiring, however it is going to be as happy a journey we can experience, amidst the black panda eyebags and incessant yawnings throughout the day.
But then again, what's that compared to the happiness i got. :)
Sometimes people realise they change when they have other priorities in their lives. All the while, my career was always the utmost one. However when Vernice came into our life in the form of a little thing in my wife's tummy, I still did not have the full impact. Work, Friends, family still took priority in the following order. Then when I witnessed her, I realised what I want more than anything else - to be able to see her grow up to be a fine lady. I realised I have changed, my focus have changed, my priorities have changed, my perspective have changed.
I know I have been blogging alot on my little bundle of joy. She can be a bit of a handful especially with her irregular sleeping hours and her unforseen and highly unpredictable "big and small business". It has been tiring, however it is going to be as happy a journey we can experience, amidst the black panda eyebags and incessant yawnings throughout the day.
But then again, what's that compared to the happiness i got. :)
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
The One with the Candle Light dinner @ the hospital
I never realised that hospitals provide this service. but it was a pleasant surprise. I guess it is a ceebration of many: 1) Our ROM anniversary, 2) the birth of Vernice as a new addition to the family, and 3) sadly the end of couplehood. But I am quite sure it would be a most wonderful experience.
Last night, the two of us enjoyed a belated celebration. It was a nice leisurely dinner with talks on our aspirations, our dreams and of course our hope for our little baby. The two of us were equally excited about embarking on our new phase of life.
Our candle light dinner
Check out the spread. It was not hotel standard but it was a great experience.
I never realised that hospitals provide this service. but it was a pleasant surprise. I guess it is a ceebration of many: 1) Our ROM anniversary, 2) the birth of Vernice as a new addition to the family, and 3) sadly the end of couplehood. But I am quite sure it would be a most wonderful experience.Last night, the two of us enjoyed a belated celebration. It was a nice leisurely dinner with talks on our aspirations, our dreams and of course our hope for our little baby. The two of us were equally excited about embarking on our new phase of life.
Our candle light dinner
Check out the spread. It was not hotel standard but it was a great experience.
Anyway i have put pictures on Vernice's blog. U know the link?
The Ego One
Saturday, April 29, 2006
The One with Vernice
Too tired to blog. Was awake the whole night waiting for my little princess to come and she finally did, with much hesitation at 6.22 am this morning. Would blog about it when I get my well deserved sleep.
Looking at her again, all this is just worth it.
Hi everyone, this is vernice
Too tired to blog. Was awake the whole night waiting for my little princess to come and she finally did, with much hesitation at 6.22 am this morning. Would blog about it when I get my well deserved sleep.
Looking at her again, all this is just worth it.
Hi everyone, this is vernice
Friday, April 28, 2006
Vernice is coming out today!!
(Latest news!!!!!)
(sing to the tune of "Raindrops keep falling on my head")
Vernice is coming out today
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
She is not going to fit
Vernice is coming out today, she is coming
So I just say
Did me some talkin' to the sun
And I said I didn't like the date she come
Too early too fast
Vernice is coming out today, she is coming
So I just say
But there's one thing I know
She is going to bring so much joy to my home
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me
Vernice is coming out today, she is coming
So I just say, So I just say
Sorry people, got to rush to the hospital now.... would keep u people informed.... :)
(Latest news!!!!!)
(sing to the tune of "Raindrops keep falling on my head")
Vernice is coming out today
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
She is not going to fit
Vernice is coming out today, she is coming
So I just say
Did me some talkin' to the sun
And I said I didn't like the date she come
Too early too fast
Vernice is coming out today, she is coming
So I just say
But there's one thing I know
She is going to bring so much joy to my home
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me
Vernice is coming out today, she is coming
So I just say, So I just say
Sorry people, got to rush to the hospital now.... would keep u people informed.... :)
Thursday, April 27, 2006
The One with the letter to Vernice
Dear daughter Vernice,
It seems like yesterday that we met each other through the sonogram of the gynae’s office. And there you were barely centimeters long. At that time I marvel at the miracle of life, of something so beautiful. As I see you growing, the pride and anticipation grows. In another few day, my months of anticipation will finally come to a close. I will be able to touch your little fingers and toes and cuddle you in my arms.
As you learn to talk, and walk; and as you starts to show your happiness and frustrations through your emotions and actions, I will be there to witness those magical moments. Sometimes I may not be there to witness that, but rest assured that I will always be a part of your growing process.
Before you come to our family, I just want to tell you how thankful I am to have you in my family. I am sure that you will bring countless joys and happiness to the family.
I must say that I ,like all kia su parents, have so much hope and aspirations. The world you are coming to is one that is full of excitement and expectations. As a daddy I have so much big plans for you. And I know that you would feel that you have this heavy weight of our expectations on you. I want you to share my values, and to do things that I have never been able to do.
But thinking back, I was wondering whether I have been trying to fulfil some childhood dreams in you. I see a part of me in you and I wonder if it would be fair to you. You are going to be different and unique, but most importantly you are going to be you. I realized that I want you to grow up to be happy, to be confident and to be the person you are always meant to be.
Sometimes, amidst all my expectations of you, I asked myself whether I would be a good father to you. I asked myself whether I would be able to live up to your expectations. Will I be too busy to watch your first step, to hear you mouth your first words, to go to your school and watch your first school performance; will I be too stressed out to forget about your birthday, to attend your graduation, to go for the parent teachers dialogue; will I be too tired out to help you with your school projects and assignments, to help you in your revisions, to hear you out on your tiffs with your classmates and to answer your neverending inquisitive queries; will I be too tied up with work to bring you to the zoo or parks or to build sandcastles on the beaches?
Somewhere down the road, I may do things that you will feel that I don’t love you anymore. Sometime you may do things that will make me upset with you. But do remember that just like you who is first time growing up and me first time daddy, we both have some learning and adjusting to do. It would be a wonderful journey for you and me that I can’t wait to embark.
You are my precious and I will always love you.
Yours Lovingly,
Daddy
Dear daughter Vernice,
It seems like yesterday that we met each other through the sonogram of the gynae’s office. And there you were barely centimeters long. At that time I marvel at the miracle of life, of something so beautiful. As I see you growing, the pride and anticipation grows. In another few day, my months of anticipation will finally come to a close. I will be able to touch your little fingers and toes and cuddle you in my arms.
As you learn to talk, and walk; and as you starts to show your happiness and frustrations through your emotions and actions, I will be there to witness those magical moments. Sometimes I may not be there to witness that, but rest assured that I will always be a part of your growing process.
Before you come to our family, I just want to tell you how thankful I am to have you in my family. I am sure that you will bring countless joys and happiness to the family.
I must say that I ,like all kia su parents, have so much hope and aspirations. The world you are coming to is one that is full of excitement and expectations. As a daddy I have so much big plans for you. And I know that you would feel that you have this heavy weight of our expectations on you. I want you to share my values, and to do things that I have never been able to do.
But thinking back, I was wondering whether I have been trying to fulfil some childhood dreams in you. I see a part of me in you and I wonder if it would be fair to you. You are going to be different and unique, but most importantly you are going to be you. I realized that I want you to grow up to be happy, to be confident and to be the person you are always meant to be.
Sometimes, amidst all my expectations of you, I asked myself whether I would be a good father to you. I asked myself whether I would be able to live up to your expectations. Will I be too busy to watch your first step, to hear you mouth your first words, to go to your school and watch your first school performance; will I be too stressed out to forget about your birthday, to attend your graduation, to go for the parent teachers dialogue; will I be too tired out to help you with your school projects and assignments, to help you in your revisions, to hear you out on your tiffs with your classmates and to answer your neverending inquisitive queries; will I be too tied up with work to bring you to the zoo or parks or to build sandcastles on the beaches?
Somewhere down the road, I may do things that you will feel that I don’t love you anymore. Sometime you may do things that will make me upset with you. But do remember that just like you who is first time growing up and me first time daddy, we both have some learning and adjusting to do. It would be a wonderful journey for you and me that I can’t wait to embark.
You are my precious and I will always love you.
Yours Lovingly,
Daddy
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
The One about the three comments
Comment #1
A colleague came back to the staffroom, plonked the laptop and teaching materials on the table and remarked: "I am half dead". What struck me about this comment was that how can a person be half dead when one can only be either dead or alive. So if one is half dead, then is one dead?
Food for thought...
Comment #2
Talking about promotions, a colleague lamented that getting GEO1A2 is about the highest most sec teachers can get. The SEO rank will have to wait for a long time after one get the GEO grade. This colleague commented that since that is the way, then we should just work the minimum and ensure that we get just a "C". Another colleague added that if one just get a "C", the salry will just progress slowly and soon hit the "C"eiling.
Poignant...
Comment #3
A friendly conversation at the canteen brought about an interesting discussion on different viewpoints. In our usual-coffee-break-breakfast banter, Colleague A remarked that the students were sitting in the area designated for teachers. Just FYI, this area consists of circular metal cafe like coffee table and matching metal beach patio chairs, unlike the boring tuckshop long benches and chairs. Actually i was ok about this since there were no teachers using the tables and chairs until colleague A mentioned that this should not be allowed and that if this is not communicated to the students and teachers the students will abuse the system. Personally I adopte the Singapore's "NO-U turn" mentality. Let's be alittle flexible about it and give the students a break (literally and figuratively).
Comment #1
A colleague came back to the staffroom, plonked the laptop and teaching materials on the table and remarked: "I am half dead". What struck me about this comment was that how can a person be half dead when one can only be either dead or alive. So if one is half dead, then is one dead?
Food for thought...
Comment #2
Talking about promotions, a colleague lamented that getting GEO1A2 is about the highest most sec teachers can get. The SEO rank will have to wait for a long time after one get the GEO grade. This colleague commented that since that is the way, then we should just work the minimum and ensure that we get just a "C". Another colleague added that if one just get a "C", the salry will just progress slowly and soon hit the "C"eiling.
Poignant...
Comment #3
A friendly conversation at the canteen brought about an interesting discussion on different viewpoints. In our usual-coffee-break-breakfast banter, Colleague A remarked that the students were sitting in the area designated for teachers. Just FYI, this area consists of circular metal cafe like coffee table and matching metal beach patio chairs, unlike the boring tuckshop long benches and chairs. Actually i was ok about this since there were no teachers using the tables and chairs until colleague A mentioned that this should not be allowed and that if this is not communicated to the students and teachers the students will abuse the system. Personally I adopte the Singapore's "NO-U turn" mentality. Let's be alittle flexible about it and give the students a break (literally and figuratively).
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
The One about Alert Amber
This have been a helluva week for me, I am so busy that I have neglecting my blog and of course my family. I was on MSN and was chatting with a former student when i use the term "busy like hell" which of course in my philosophical reflection, got me thinking... IS hell busy? if it is so what are they busy with? Setting papers like me, doing all the work in the various committees or just going the extra mile helping the students?
On a different note, a handphone ring and/or vibration will startle me. Not that I am over stressed, but just that my precious baby daughter will be coming to this world within these few days. Her due date is actually on 4 May but the gynae mentioned that she might decided to pop by any time now. Actually my wife and me wanted her to try to "pop" by during these day for there are many significances
22 April 2006 - the date my grandmom passed away. it willreally be a tribute to her (Alas too late)
29 April 2006 - the date of our ROM ( possible)
1 May 2006 - What a way to celebrate labour day with labour itself ( possible)
4 May 2006 - the actual day, inference - daughter is very punctual ( possible)
6 May 2006 - Polling day - to celebrate the continual dominance of PAP or to highlight a possble opposition upset? ( possible)
Actually amidst all the stress and running around, i am actually very excited about my new addition to the family. That's why now I am effectively on code Amber, anytime when my wife activate me, SOS and you will see me running into a telephone booth and change into my blue tights and red underwear outside, for i will have to rush to pick my wife.
If you see a metalic light blue lancer with car plate SFMXXXX, these few days and it seems to be defying the speed of sound, it is probably me rushing to send my wife to hospital to welcome the new addition. Do give way K?
The Ego One
This have been a helluva week for me, I am so busy that I have neglecting my blog and of course my family. I was on MSN and was chatting with a former student when i use the term "busy like hell" which of course in my philosophical reflection, got me thinking... IS hell busy? if it is so what are they busy with? Setting papers like me, doing all the work in the various committees or just going the extra mile helping the students?
On a different note, a handphone ring and/or vibration will startle me. Not that I am over stressed, but just that my precious baby daughter will be coming to this world within these few days. Her due date is actually on 4 May but the gynae mentioned that she might decided to pop by any time now. Actually my wife and me wanted her to try to "pop" by during these day for there are many significances
22 April 2006 - the date my grandmom passed away. it willreally be a tribute to her (Alas too late)
29 April 2006 - the date of our ROM ( possible)
1 May 2006 - What a way to celebrate labour day with labour itself ( possible)
4 May 2006 - the actual day, inference - daughter is very punctual ( possible)
6 May 2006 - Polling day - to celebrate the continual dominance of PAP or to highlight a possble opposition upset? ( possible)
Actually amidst all the stress and running around, i am actually very excited about my new addition to the family. That's why now I am effectively on code Amber, anytime when my wife activate me, SOS and you will see me running into a telephone booth and change into my blue tights and red underwear outside, for i will have to rush to pick my wife.
If you see a metalic light blue lancer with car plate SFMXXXX, these few days and it seems to be defying the speed of sound, it is probably me rushing to send my wife to hospital to welcome the new addition. Do give way K?
The Ego One
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Thursday, April 13, 2006
The One about Cynicism
I got my first dose of cynicism from a colleague which I had never spoken to prior to today. Anyway it was about a programme that I introduced in the school. Sometimes stuck in the middle is like the chicken platter in a Mcdonald McChicken.
Brought the earth tumbling down and the stars falling from the sky.
Welcome to the real world. :)
Don't worry I will be fine...
I will survive. As a KAH, I am as enthusiastic as an energiser bunny and this will carry me through the troubles and the caustic waves of sarcasm. My bruised ego will go on.
The Ego One
I got my first dose of cynicism from a colleague which I had never spoken to prior to today. Anyway it was about a programme that I introduced in the school. Sometimes stuck in the middle is like the chicken platter in a Mcdonald McChicken.
Brought the earth tumbling down and the stars falling from the sky.
Welcome to the real world. :)
Don't worry I will be fine...
I will survive. As a KAH, I am as enthusiastic as an energiser bunny and this will carry me through the troubles and the caustic waves of sarcasm. My bruised ego will go on.
The Ego One
Saturday, April 08, 2006
The One about Power Possible Corrupts
It is weird how power can actually change a person's perspective about things. For in reflecting at some of the things that was happenign, I am struck with this revelation. If this post don’t make sense to you, you are not alone. I am also not sure what I was trying to convey from this.
Before I make the decision to move away from my comfort zone to take on a new challenge, an ex-colleague gave me words of advice. She told me to always remember that “power changes people”. (Actually She mentioned that power corrupts people. But I decide to be politically correct about this) She lamented that people tends to see things in the Big picture when one is vested with power and will choose to neglect those who made up the little pieces in the jigsaw. She hope that I will remember what she said and I have to say that I had dutifully put this as my work mantra.
The role as you climb up the corporate ladder is a delicate, ball-juggling responsibility that requires altruism, sanity and most importantly responsibility. It is not easy to manage peoples’ expectations and yet at the same time trying to negotiate and find peace in the decision that one had to make, regardless of how unpopular it may be. But then again as a middle manager, that is our role, stuck in the middle, macro-managing and yet micro-organising at the same time.
At times I am worried about losing sight of what I want, with the avalanche of work and responsibility. However I relished the challenges of looking at things in a different perspective, and to use the power to realize what I can do. Ultimately we are here as teachers, for students, not just administrator for customers.
I just have to remember to constantly look for my blind spots when I turn. I just hope people will remind me when I if one day engulfed by the lust for power. :)
Your thoughts?
It is weird how power can actually change a person's perspective about things. For in reflecting at some of the things that was happenign, I am struck with this revelation. If this post don’t make sense to you, you are not alone. I am also not sure what I was trying to convey from this.
Before I make the decision to move away from my comfort zone to take on a new challenge, an ex-colleague gave me words of advice. She told me to always remember that “power changes people”. (Actually She mentioned that power corrupts people. But I decide to be politically correct about this) She lamented that people tends to see things in the Big picture when one is vested with power and will choose to neglect those who made up the little pieces in the jigsaw. She hope that I will remember what she said and I have to say that I had dutifully put this as my work mantra.
The role as you climb up the corporate ladder is a delicate, ball-juggling responsibility that requires altruism, sanity and most importantly responsibility. It is not easy to manage peoples’ expectations and yet at the same time trying to negotiate and find peace in the decision that one had to make, regardless of how unpopular it may be. But then again as a middle manager, that is our role, stuck in the middle, macro-managing and yet micro-organising at the same time.
At times I am worried about losing sight of what I want, with the avalanche of work and responsibility. However I relished the challenges of looking at things in a different perspective, and to use the power to realize what I can do. Ultimately we are here as teachers, for students, not just administrator for customers.
I just have to remember to constantly look for my blind spots when I turn. I just hope people will remind me when I if one day engulfed by the lust for power. :)
Your thoughts?
Thursday, April 06, 2006
The One with a bad news to share
I am writing this hurried post as I have approximately 3 minutes to spare. I received a piece of bad news from a friend that a friend of mine had lost her baby. It shocked me for Her little precious was supposed to come to this world approximately the same time as my baby Vernice. My heart went out to her as I know how it feel to lose a loved one. The dead baby was induced from her on Saturday and she is now recuperating at home. I know deep down inside she must have felt horrible.... I know no amount of words can make her feel better. I hope that all who read this post will pray for her, for her baby, for her family and hope that she will have the strength to cope.
The Ego One
I am writing this hurried post as I have approximately 3 minutes to spare. I received a piece of bad news from a friend that a friend of mine had lost her baby. It shocked me for Her little precious was supposed to come to this world approximately the same time as my baby Vernice. My heart went out to her as I know how it feel to lose a loved one. The dead baby was induced from her on Saturday and she is now recuperating at home. I know deep down inside she must have felt horrible.... I know no amount of words can make her feel better. I hope that all who read this post will pray for her, for her baby, for her family and hope that she will have the strength to cope.
The Ego One
Thursday, March 30, 2006
The One with the No Uniform Day
Actually this is a misnomer as it only applies to the students. Teachers in general found themselves in shocking similarities as we donned the school uniforms for the day. As part of the fundraising efforts, the teachers put on the attire of the kids and experience the pride/uncomfortable material/sweat associated with the uniforms.
In fact the teachers found themselves difficult to lift themselves beyond the mentality of the students ( sigh we are wearing uniform anyway) and it was quite difficult to get the students to start lessons, especially when quite a large number were also involved in our school celebrations.
This is indeed quite an eyeopener to me as we dont really have it in IJ. But a rare glimpse for those who want to know how I look like in a similrarly-TJ uniform. :P
Actually this is a misnomer as it only applies to the students. Teachers in general found themselves in shocking similarities as we donned the school uniforms for the day. As part of the fundraising efforts, the teachers put on the attire of the kids and experience the pride/uncomfortable material/sweat associated with the uniforms.
In fact the teachers found themselves difficult to lift themselves beyond the mentality of the students ( sigh we are wearing uniform anyway) and it was quite difficult to get the students to start lessons, especially when quite a large number were also involved in our school celebrations.
This is indeed quite an eyeopener to me as we dont really have it in IJ. But a rare glimpse for those who want to know how I look like in a similrarly-TJ uniform. :P
I know this picture dont do justice for I have infact slim down alot. It must have been the sushi buffet I had yesterday night with my colleagues. Haha.
Teachers do sometimes entitled to a bit of fun in school, even as "students"...
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
The One with a god daughter
Guess what? (rhetorical question) I got a god daughter.
And I am really happy about it. I was about to decorate the blog with pretty flowers and sparkling stars but I was too lazy/technophoic to do that.
And Guess what again? I shudders when I think what I have to go through when my baby Vernice is out.
And Guess what again(x2)? It feel nice to love and be loved...
Guess what? (rhetorical question) I got a god daughter.
And I am really happy about it. I was about to decorate the blog with pretty flowers and sparkling stars but I was too lazy/technophoic to do that.
And Guess what again? I shudders when I think what I have to go through when my baby Vernice is out.
And Guess what again(x2)? It feel nice to love and be loved...
The One about going home late
It's 6.15pm
It's late
And I am still in a deserted corner (ie cubicle) conscientiously doing my work.
And I decided to blog...
Sometimes I wondered whether the school has changed the way I work, or maybe it is the added responsibilities. The school is going to be having some major events for the next 3 days and *shudder* as a KAH, I am actually not involved (read: no planning, little duties etc) in all these whatsoever. Maybe it was because I am new to the school and that's why they had decided to "give me time to adjust" by keeping me out from the hectic work. But I am really feeling guilty as a member of the school for not helping out in this. The whole school and most of the staff are still busy planning/rehearsing/running from place to place/tired. I feel this guilt pangs of being there in school even though I am not really able to do/contribute much at this moment of time.
An irrational thought, I guess.
Your thoughts?
It's 6.15pm
It's late
And I am still in a deserted corner (ie cubicle) conscientiously doing my work.
And I decided to blog...
Sometimes I wondered whether the school has changed the way I work, or maybe it is the added responsibilities. The school is going to be having some major events for the next 3 days and *shudder* as a KAH, I am actually not involved (read: no planning, little duties etc) in all these whatsoever. Maybe it was because I am new to the school and that's why they had decided to "give me time to adjust" by keeping me out from the hectic work. But I am really feeling guilty as a member of the school for not helping out in this. The whole school and most of the staff are still busy planning/rehearsing/running from place to place/tired. I feel this guilt pangs of being there in school even though I am not really able to do/contribute much at this moment of time.
An irrational thought, I guess.
Your thoughts?
Monday, March 27, 2006
The One about teachers blogging
It is always puzzling that teachers by nature of their profession are always under constant scrutiny. The latest in this whole non-ending issue is about teachers who blog. Being a passionate blogger who happens to be a teacher, I should proffer my 2 cents worth.
Unlike many professions, teachers are not expected to have dual personality. (Not to be mistaken with the psychiatric phenomenon known as schizophrenia.) As teachers, and imparters of values and beliefs, we are supposed to be the one who stand in front of the classroom 24/7. Unlike other professions like an engineer, accountant or even an actor, we are supposed to be smart in decorum, proper in manners and of course lead by example. Let me now spell out the 10 commandments of Teachers.
We are expected NOT to:
1) mouth vulgarities, four-letter words for fear that students will pick up the bad habits from us.
2) skive as students are learning the importance of hard work and striving for excellence from our every day actions.
3) have undesirable hobbies, like playing mahjong, excessive playing of computer games, excess surfing of the internet and buying 4D as students may learn the wrong things for leisure.
4) show any para-political view, or deviant political views, for it may create wrong impressions to students
5) be too apolitical as we want the students to know the good work of our government and how Singapore had developed over the years.
6) buy pirated stuff, ie VCDs, music CDs, DVDs or even do illegal download as we should teach students the right values of being HIP, being Original and saying no to piracy.
7) be under-dressed even when out on the street or even to buy a packet of mee pok from the nearby coffeeshop. Showing anything above the calves are a definite NO. It would be good if your appearance could be distinctively that of a teacher ( for male, long/short sleeve shirt, long pants, leather shoes ( track shoes optional)). This will tell students the importance of attire and respect. Anything remotely look like something that should be worn inside should be *ahem worn inside, away from sight.
8) Hate/dislike the students who constantly give you problems in class. Or for that matter the parents of the students who constantly gave you problems. Students will learn from the teachers the importance of good service and the importance of care and concern. Even though the teacher is literally pulling his/her hair off trying to get this student to hand in work or even to the matter paying attention in class.
9) Speak in Singlish. We are expected to speak ploperly (sic) as students learn undesirable accents or even incorrect pronunciation from teachers which may affect their development in their future endeavours.
10) Say anything bad about your own profession. (opps!) Then we will be able to get more and more aspiring people to join the profession, and suck away their enthusiasm in life and *gasp inject them with cynicism. Then the 10 commandments will apply again. The vicious cycle continues :P
Of course all this are said tongue in cheek. It is however a reality check that sometimes people including ourselves, teachers forgot that we are merely human beings who is just entrusted in a sacred role as perceived by others. In this present society, everybody, with educational qualification has their take on the role of education and the way educator should do. AS such, the expectations on teachers become so immense.
But then again what do I know, sometimes I am constantly reminded that I am providing a service to others. Maybe someone do have to give us a GEMS sometime, for we don’t just go the extra mile, we sometimes go the whole way, back and fro.
And that's my 2 cents worth
It is always puzzling that teachers by nature of their profession are always under constant scrutiny. The latest in this whole non-ending issue is about teachers who blog. Being a passionate blogger who happens to be a teacher, I should proffer my 2 cents worth.
Unlike many professions, teachers are not expected to have dual personality. (Not to be mistaken with the psychiatric phenomenon known as schizophrenia.) As teachers, and imparters of values and beliefs, we are supposed to be the one who stand in front of the classroom 24/7. Unlike other professions like an engineer, accountant or even an actor, we are supposed to be smart in decorum, proper in manners and of course lead by example. Let me now spell out the 10 commandments of Teachers.
We are expected NOT to:
1) mouth vulgarities, four-letter words for fear that students will pick up the bad habits from us.
2) skive as students are learning the importance of hard work and striving for excellence from our every day actions.
3) have undesirable hobbies, like playing mahjong, excessive playing of computer games, excess surfing of the internet and buying 4D as students may learn the wrong things for leisure.
4) show any para-political view, or deviant political views, for it may create wrong impressions to students
5) be too apolitical as we want the students to know the good work of our government and how Singapore had developed over the years.
6) buy pirated stuff, ie VCDs, music CDs, DVDs or even do illegal download as we should teach students the right values of being HIP, being Original and saying no to piracy.
7) be under-dressed even when out on the street or even to buy a packet of mee pok from the nearby coffeeshop. Showing anything above the calves are a definite NO. It would be good if your appearance could be distinctively that of a teacher ( for male, long/short sleeve shirt, long pants, leather shoes ( track shoes optional)). This will tell students the importance of attire and respect. Anything remotely look like something that should be worn inside should be *ahem worn inside, away from sight.
8) Hate/dislike the students who constantly give you problems in class. Or for that matter the parents of the students who constantly gave you problems. Students will learn from the teachers the importance of good service and the importance of care and concern. Even though the teacher is literally pulling his/her hair off trying to get this student to hand in work or even to the matter paying attention in class.
9) Speak in Singlish. We are expected to speak ploperly (sic) as students learn undesirable accents or even incorrect pronunciation from teachers which may affect their development in their future endeavours.
10) Say anything bad about your own profession. (opps!) Then we will be able to get more and more aspiring people to join the profession, and suck away their enthusiasm in life and *gasp inject them with cynicism. Then the 10 commandments will apply again. The vicious cycle continues :P
Of course all this are said tongue in cheek. It is however a reality check that sometimes people including ourselves, teachers forgot that we are merely human beings who is just entrusted in a sacred role as perceived by others. In this present society, everybody, with educational qualification has their take on the role of education and the way educator should do. AS such, the expectations on teachers become so immense.
But then again what do I know, sometimes I am constantly reminded that I am providing a service to others. Maybe someone do have to give us a GEMS sometime, for we don’t just go the extra mile, we sometimes go the whole way, back and fro.
And that's my 2 cents worth
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
The One about the average day in school
when i finally plonked at my little prison ie work cubicle :p, it was almost 2pm in the afternoon. a couple of fast emails and a hurried lunch i was in the company of my colleagues for a meeting which finally ends at 5pm. Before i can catch my breath and start doing the pile of things on my table, i am rushing the deadline of trying to leave the school before the school lock up. Yes this is the average day in school.
Sometimes in the midst of getting busy, I started to appreciate the Hooke' law of human stress and endurance. As the law state, everyone has a breaking point which will lead to the so-called elastic limit. Anything beyond that is the plastic limit and thing can never be the same again. Not to stress all of you up with all these laws, but what is interesting is that I dont know whether I have reach mine already. Sometimes when I start to sprout nonsense, this might be a thing about people becoming xiao..
being in a new environment is an interesting experience as it gave me the opportunity to put on a different persona. In IJ I was this "ki xiao" (crazy) teacher who never failed to give a lame sarcastic remark at any girl who cross my path. It is also this that make it so easy for the girls to treat me sometimes with little respect, or not that respectful as a teacher and more like a friend. It is also difficult to establish that authority figure stuff especially when I am so pally with the students.
However things are different in this new school, as a relative new comer, a relative unknown, I can choose to be a bit different... u know like those brooding characters in those movies, where the smoke machine seems to work overtime and the whole world seems to move slow-mo around you. I remember 2 weeks ago I was giving a briefing for a trail to the whole entire sec 2 cohort and 1 peiercing look was all it need sto have the hall in perfect pitch silence. Yah 360 students in the hall and all i could hear was the sound of the overworked fans in the hall. In IJ i am sure there will be roaring laughter, as I could never pull it off. Anyway a colleague was so impressed with that, he came over and say, "woah, you sound like an OC giving a mission briefing"
How long I can keep up with this....
when i finally plonked at my little prison ie work cubicle :p, it was almost 2pm in the afternoon. a couple of fast emails and a hurried lunch i was in the company of my colleagues for a meeting which finally ends at 5pm. Before i can catch my breath and start doing the pile of things on my table, i am rushing the deadline of trying to leave the school before the school lock up. Yes this is the average day in school.
Sometimes in the midst of getting busy, I started to appreciate the Hooke' law of human stress and endurance. As the law state, everyone has a breaking point which will lead to the so-called elastic limit. Anything beyond that is the plastic limit and thing can never be the same again. Not to stress all of you up with all these laws, but what is interesting is that I dont know whether I have reach mine already. Sometimes when I start to sprout nonsense, this might be a thing about people becoming xiao..
being in a new environment is an interesting experience as it gave me the opportunity to put on a different persona. In IJ I was this "ki xiao" (crazy) teacher who never failed to give a lame sarcastic remark at any girl who cross my path. It is also this that make it so easy for the girls to treat me sometimes with little respect, or not that respectful as a teacher and more like a friend. It is also difficult to establish that authority figure stuff especially when I am so pally with the students.
However things are different in this new school, as a relative new comer, a relative unknown, I can choose to be a bit different... u know like those brooding characters in those movies, where the smoke machine seems to work overtime and the whole world seems to move slow-mo around you. I remember 2 weeks ago I was giving a briefing for a trail to the whole entire sec 2 cohort and 1 peiercing look was all it need sto have the hall in perfect pitch silence. Yah 360 students in the hall and all i could hear was the sound of the overworked fans in the hall. In IJ i am sure there will be roaring laughter, as I could never pull it off. Anyway a colleague was so impressed with that, he came over and say, "woah, you sound like an OC giving a mission briefing"
How long I can keep up with this....
Before I degenerate into this:
Only time will tell.....
Saturday, March 11, 2006
The one about random thoughts
Recently I’ve not been blogging, I had not disappeared from the blogsphere or into the atmosphere or into the hemisphere but well.... a teacher got to do what a teacher got to do.
1. Work work work.
Talk about long working hours at work, the excitment related to the new entry into my family life. Not to worry, I’m not facing any problems, well i would say those are all happy problems (sans the long working hours). Just that with new responsibilities come longer working hours (as I shamelessly quoted from "spiderman"), that’s all!
For those who remember me blogging about my in camp reservist training, I also had to burn two weeks just trying and because of that, I had to rush out teaching materials for the relief teacher who covered me when I was not in school. And of course as a KAH ( I am not trying to be vulgar here, but KAH means Key appointment Holder, see how MOE personnel love to use all those acronyms, eg TRAISI and TLLM)
2. Mental Block
Words keep coming out of my head in no coherent manner and sometimes I was too tired to think of what to blog about. I was (and probably still am) at a loss for words. Little knew that I stayed in school till around 7 at times in school. And when there are school activities I was also in school till 9 to 10. And yes this is really a 24-7 job. At times I feel like just plonking on my sofa and watch paint dry, yes this is now more interesting that some of the things and deadlines that I have to do.
I know that much is expected of me and I need to adapt fast. However at times I do feel that I can really adapt if I have a little bit more time. There is even a saying, that if you can survive in this school, you can probably excel in other neighbourhood schools. I am not quite sure of the authencity of this statement, since the previous i taught in is a mission school but I am quite sure peoples' expectation of me is not just merely surviving but also to excel.
3. ...
Well in a different note, I do love the things I do as it made me feel useful. Things are definitely more fast paced here and I have learnt tremendously from the process. However in the midst of all, I do ponder that I have sometimes lost sight of the people I care most, my family, my friends and of course my students. Seems pretty paradoxical at times, contradicting, some will say, I guess this is what happen when you move up.
I know that there are some of you who wanted to keep contact with me, please do, I do want to continue to maintain the link. Don't feel bad about trying to get me, I will try if I can afford the time, and please don't feel offfended if I am too busy, because I am really busy. Drop me a line, a sms and even a call. would really appreciate that.
As for 4/4 I am happy that all of you have embarked on the next phase of your lives. Please do keep in contact with each other even if I am not involved :P. Maybe we can have a gathering in June. Then you all can see my baby Vernice.... :)
Recently I’ve not been blogging, I had not disappeared from the blogsphere or into the atmosphere or into the hemisphere but well.... a teacher got to do what a teacher got to do.
1. Work work work.
Talk about long working hours at work, the excitment related to the new entry into my family life. Not to worry, I’m not facing any problems, well i would say those are all happy problems (sans the long working hours). Just that with new responsibilities come longer working hours (as I shamelessly quoted from "spiderman"), that’s all!
For those who remember me blogging about my in camp reservist training, I also had to burn two weeks just trying and because of that, I had to rush out teaching materials for the relief teacher who covered me when I was not in school. And of course as a KAH ( I am not trying to be vulgar here, but KAH means Key appointment Holder, see how MOE personnel love to use all those acronyms, eg TRAISI and TLLM)
2. Mental Block
Words keep coming out of my head in no coherent manner and sometimes I was too tired to think of what to blog about. I was (and probably still am) at a loss for words. Little knew that I stayed in school till around 7 at times in school. And when there are school activities I was also in school till 9 to 10. And yes this is really a 24-7 job. At times I feel like just plonking on my sofa and watch paint dry, yes this is now more interesting that some of the things and deadlines that I have to do.
I know that much is expected of me and I need to adapt fast. However at times I do feel that I can really adapt if I have a little bit more time. There is even a saying, that if you can survive in this school, you can probably excel in other neighbourhood schools. I am not quite sure of the authencity of this statement, since the previous i taught in is a mission school but I am quite sure peoples' expectation of me is not just merely surviving but also to excel.
3. ...
Well in a different note, I do love the things I do as it made me feel useful. Things are definitely more fast paced here and I have learnt tremendously from the process. However in the midst of all, I do ponder that I have sometimes lost sight of the people I care most, my family, my friends and of course my students. Seems pretty paradoxical at times, contradicting, some will say, I guess this is what happen when you move up.
I know that there are some of you who wanted to keep contact with me, please do, I do want to continue to maintain the link. Don't feel bad about trying to get me, I will try if I can afford the time, and please don't feel offfended if I am too busy, because I am really busy. Drop me a line, a sms and even a call. would really appreciate that.
As for 4/4 I am happy that all of you have embarked on the next phase of your lives. Please do keep in contact with each other even if I am not involved :P. Maybe we can have a gathering in June. Then you all can see my baby Vernice.... :)
Sunday, March 05, 2006
The One about a Poem
I made the decision
Took the path less travelled
To see the world
To meet new people
To open my eyes
I walked away
Familarity diminished
Sights and Sounds so far behind
Away I am and did
My mind still lingers
Of things so much I held so dear
As I look back
Alas it's not the sights
Things I see beyond
The facades of the pretentious
I walked back
I can't, I don't want
For I see nothing behind...
I am sure this poem made no sense to all of you but it is just a juxaposition of my thoughts. If you can make sense of it, congrats, you are a contemporary poet :)
I made the decision
Took the path less travelled
To see the world
To meet new people
To open my eyes
I walked away
Familarity diminished
Sights and Sounds so far behind
Away I am and did
My mind still lingers
Of things so much I held so dear
As I look back
Alas it's not the sights
Things I see beyond
The facades of the pretentious
I walked back
I can't, I don't want
For I see nothing behind...
I am sure this poem made no sense to all of you but it is just a juxaposition of my thoughts. If you can make sense of it, congrats, you are a contemporary poet :)
Saturday, February 25, 2006
The One about a bone to pick
As I had always said, IJ always has a very special position in my heart. And of course the very fact that it is so near to where I stayed always give me the additional incentive to just drive past the spankiing new building, catching sometimes glimpses of the ever familiar blue pinafores and of course going into the times when I first came in as a trainee teacher. It seems so long ago and sometimes so surreal.
Perhaps at times I have still not made my peace with the fact that I am already in a new school, teaching other students and on top of that, working for a new principal, in a new management. However it always brighten up my day when I come back for a visit and felt so welcomed. Well almost at times.
I had been really busy with my new school and I believe that some of you who still keep in contact with me can testify for that. I worked extremely long hours , even longer than the usual times I spend in IJ. Thus any free time that I could spare would be for my wife, for my family, for my friends, and to me, sometimes just popping by IJ would be a time for myself. It is gratifying to know that some of you (staff and students) still welcome me back with open arms, and the affections you showed when I sometimes popped by for a social visit was really much appreciated. The attention from the Track and Field team when I returned yesterday was really great. However there are also some who actually felt that I was just- quoted and unquoted "too free, must be pretty idle". I resented this remark for it questions the very professionalism I had in my new school. I resented this remark for it also showed that I am not welcomed.
I know there are some who feel that I should have just moved on, and forget about it, but to me IJ is just like an alma mater like all of you, and sometimes, things that I have so passionately believed in had changed so drastically that I felt morally obliged to just try to get the record straight. I know that in so doing, I may be perceived as a busybody, but I am willing to do so, because I so passionately believed in the things in the school and of course the welfare of the IJ girls which some, I have seen them growing up in their teenage years.
Sad to say whether it is appreciated or not, I will come back as long as I am welcomed, even if it is only some staff and some students.
P.S: Just realised that i sound bitter. I'm actually quite ok, tired though. I think I just got carried away, I think. :D
P.S: Thanks for all of you who had added me in your MSN, my MSN will usually be operational during office hour( school hours from 7 to 7) and maybe some time in the weekend. Send me a msg, let me know how's thing are gettting on.
P.S: I heard that RMUN 2006 had gone up one level, there are interviews, and if Val, Alessa, Germaine and of course Tricia and Sarah you people need help, can drop me a line, or email me.
K?
As I had always said, IJ always has a very special position in my heart. And of course the very fact that it is so near to where I stayed always give me the additional incentive to just drive past the spankiing new building, catching sometimes glimpses of the ever familiar blue pinafores and of course going into the times when I first came in as a trainee teacher. It seems so long ago and sometimes so surreal.
Perhaps at times I have still not made my peace with the fact that I am already in a new school, teaching other students and on top of that, working for a new principal, in a new management. However it always brighten up my day when I come back for a visit and felt so welcomed. Well almost at times.
I had been really busy with my new school and I believe that some of you who still keep in contact with me can testify for that. I worked extremely long hours , even longer than the usual times I spend in IJ. Thus any free time that I could spare would be for my wife, for my family, for my friends, and to me, sometimes just popping by IJ would be a time for myself. It is gratifying to know that some of you (staff and students) still welcome me back with open arms, and the affections you showed when I sometimes popped by for a social visit was really much appreciated. The attention from the Track and Field team when I returned yesterday was really great. However there are also some who actually felt that I was just- quoted and unquoted "too free, must be pretty idle". I resented this remark for it questions the very professionalism I had in my new school. I resented this remark for it also showed that I am not welcomed.
I know there are some who feel that I should have just moved on, and forget about it, but to me IJ is just like an alma mater like all of you, and sometimes, things that I have so passionately believed in had changed so drastically that I felt morally obliged to just try to get the record straight. I know that in so doing, I may be perceived as a busybody, but I am willing to do so, because I so passionately believed in the things in the school and of course the welfare of the IJ girls which some, I have seen them growing up in their teenage years.
Sad to say whether it is appreciated or not, I will come back as long as I am welcomed, even if it is only some staff and some students.
P.S: Just realised that i sound bitter. I'm actually quite ok, tired though. I think I just got carried away, I think. :D
P.S: Thanks for all of you who had added me in your MSN, my MSN will usually be operational during office hour( school hours from 7 to 7) and maybe some time in the weekend. Send me a msg, let me know how's thing are gettting on.
P.S: I heard that RMUN 2006 had gone up one level, there are interviews, and if Val, Alessa, Germaine and of course Tricia and Sarah you people need help, can drop me a line, or email me.
K?
Friday, February 24, 2006
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
The One with My MSN Messenger
Many ex students wanted to know how to get in touch with me. One way would be through MSN messenger ( yes I am not so ancient). my email for msn is alec_ng@hotmail.com.
Some basic groundrules...
1) Please let me know who u are, when adding me in your contact list or risk getting blocked
2) If I don't reply you, you could mean I am too busy, or ignoring you or better still, busy ignoring you...
See you on MSN..
Mr Ng
Many ex students wanted to know how to get in touch with me. One way would be through MSN messenger ( yes I am not so ancient). my email for msn is alec_ng@hotmail.com.
Some basic groundrules...
1) Please let me know who u are, when adding me in your contact list or risk getting blocked
2) If I don't reply you, you could mean I am too busy, or ignoring you or better still, busy ignoring you...
See you on MSN..
Mr Ng
Monday, February 20, 2006
The One about going back to school Again
Going back to school has been a footdragging, or car-braking experience. Today is dreadful monday. And I have just had 10 days worth of R-&-R at Hotel SAF, where brawn rather than brains was the flavour of the month. I was trying my best to deactivate the grey matter and I must say that I am pretty successful in doing that, so successful that I am having a hard time trying to crank it up and hype myself for today, coupled with the perennial monday blues
The lazy morning was greeted with compliments of concerns ( wah you look tanned, must have been pretty "siong") and of course the unceremonious poke, tainted with sacarsm ( you look really fresh!). Taking it in my stride like a true blue SAF serviceman, I commenced on my recee duty of trying to find a vantage point to start the already piling homework, tests and of course the administrative work which I have to clear.
Students alike greeted me with renewed zest, paying full due to the belief that "absence made the hearts go fonder". One Sec 4N girl even gave me a small snicker bar to welcome me back. The sec 3s upon seeing me greeted me a la Singapore Idol. Much as I hate to admit it... it is nice to feel welcome.
Welcome back!
The Ego One
Going back to school has been a footdragging, or car-braking experience. Today is dreadful monday. And I have just had 10 days worth of R-&-R at Hotel SAF, where brawn rather than brains was the flavour of the month. I was trying my best to deactivate the grey matter and I must say that I am pretty successful in doing that, so successful that I am having a hard time trying to crank it up and hype myself for today, coupled with the perennial monday blues
The lazy morning was greeted with compliments of concerns ( wah you look tanned, must have been pretty "siong") and of course the unceremonious poke, tainted with sacarsm ( you look really fresh!). Taking it in my stride like a true blue SAF serviceman, I commenced on my recee duty of trying to find a vantage point to start the already piling homework, tests and of course the administrative work which I have to clear.
Students alike greeted me with renewed zest, paying full due to the belief that "absence made the hearts go fonder". One Sec 4N girl even gave me a small snicker bar to welcome me back. The sec 3s upon seeing me greeted me a la Singapore Idol. Much as I hate to admit it... it is nice to feel welcome.
Welcome back!
The Ego One
Sunday, February 12, 2006
The One with the O levels Results (part 2)
To the IJ girls I had taught, scolded, punished, ignored, teased, made fun of and "inspired"
Congrats for all the good results you have gotten. The results is a passageway to the next phase of your journey. 2 or 3 years down the road, you will not remember what you had gotten but will be eagerly anticipating embarking on a new phase of your life. For those who did exceptionally well, savour the moment for you deserved every second of it. For those who did not do as well, well life still goes on :p and most importantly every setback is just a step closer to success. It is not whether you fall or not, it is how fast you get up.
Even though I am not in IJ, i had heard so many of you calling me, sending me emails, sms-es as I busied myself in my green fatigues, handling a weapon (the SAF M 16) which I had not touched for almost 10 over years. Much as I like to witness the euphoric looks on your faces, I was kinda tied down by my national obligations. However it was nice to hear from all of you for it showed that IJ girls are appreciative and that I have in some way, good or bad, left a mark in your lives.
I had heard that Thanksgiving Mass will be 22 feb wednesday. Many students asked whether if I will be back in IJ. Much as I love to do so, I had my other obligations in another school. I apologise for not being there but I am sure all of you will savour the moment and of course embark on your new journey with zest and anticipation.
I had heard that there are some girls who wants to get in touch with me. You can try to email me. For those who want to talk to me.... can get the numbers from my 4/4 2005 girls. I am most willing to get in touch with IJ girls, and of course if your name happens to be Clarabelle..
GODSPEED!
Mr Ng
To the IJ girls I had taught, scolded, punished, ignored, teased, made fun of and "inspired"
Congrats for all the good results you have gotten. The results is a passageway to the next phase of your journey. 2 or 3 years down the road, you will not remember what you had gotten but will be eagerly anticipating embarking on a new phase of your life. For those who did exceptionally well, savour the moment for you deserved every second of it. For those who did not do as well, well life still goes on :p and most importantly every setback is just a step closer to success. It is not whether you fall or not, it is how fast you get up.
Even though I am not in IJ, i had heard so many of you calling me, sending me emails, sms-es as I busied myself in my green fatigues, handling a weapon (the SAF M 16) which I had not touched for almost 10 over years. Much as I like to witness the euphoric looks on your faces, I was kinda tied down by my national obligations. However it was nice to hear from all of you for it showed that IJ girls are appreciative and that I have in some way, good or bad, left a mark in your lives.
I had heard that Thanksgiving Mass will be 22 feb wednesday. Many students asked whether if I will be back in IJ. Much as I love to do so, I had my other obligations in another school. I apologise for not being there but I am sure all of you will savour the moment and of course embark on your new journey with zest and anticipation.
I had heard that there are some girls who wants to get in touch with me. You can try to email me. For those who want to talk to me.... can get the numbers from my 4/4 2005 girls. I am most willing to get in touch with IJ girls, and of course if your name happens to be Clarabelle..
GODSPEED!
Mr Ng
Thursday, February 09, 2006
The One with the O level Results
Unlike the last time 2 years ago, when I came running back from my national duty to serve the country, this year will not be the case; I am again doing my obligatory duty and this time I would not be able to be there in IJ or YTSS. Sigh..
Anyway this is just a note to all my girls 2005 - what's done is done, don't worry about the results for you have done your best..
Let me know by email or sms how you people do ok??
Mr Ng
Unlike the last time 2 years ago, when I came running back from my national duty to serve the country, this year will not be the case; I am again doing my obligatory duty and this time I would not be able to be there in IJ or YTSS. Sigh..
Anyway this is just a note to all my girls 2005 - what's done is done, don't worry about the results for you have done your best..
Let me know by email or sms how you people do ok??
Mr Ng
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